Wtf Wtf Wtf????

[Junkhead]

I'm all for finding more domestic oil, but it has to be combined with conservation. Cutting back, greatly increasing auto fuel economy, and securing domestic oil to lessen imports is all part of it. What is the use in finding more oil if the price become artificially cheap and boneheads continue to driver excursions around?

 

[IrishinTN]

Being socially responsible is definitely a big part in all this. Having companies introduce more feul efficient engines is going to provide relief, even for cars as big as excursions. The thing about the prices right now really doesn't even come down to needing more oil. recent sudies have shown that actual consumption is down slightly from last year, and that is possibly attributable to better, more fuel efficient engines. The reason the price is currently being driven up is actually the investors. they have jumped on it and have gone hog wild with investing in oil futures. One thing that wuold help us all there is ending their ability to use "funny money" to purchase their futures and make them use real money increments. This is estimated to have a 40% cut on the price. Of course this would take a concerted effort on behalf of our government leaders and since so many of them are in Big Oil's pocket, I suppose this is a pipe dream as well.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Being socially responsible is definitely a big part in all this. Having companies introduce more feul efficient engines is going to provide relief, even for cars as big as excursions. The thing about the prices right now really doesn't even come down to needing more oil. recent sudies have shown that actual consumption is down slightly from last year, and that is possibly attributable to better, more fuel efficient engines. The reason the price is currently being driven up is actually the investors. they have jumped on it and have gone hog wild with investing in oil futures. One thing that wuold help us all there is ending their ability to use "funny money" to purchase their futures and make them use real money increments. This is estimated to have a 40% cut on the price. Of course this would take a concerted effort on behalf of our government leaders and since so many of them are in Big Oil's pocket, I suppose this is a pipe dream as well.

US Consumption is down...world consumption is upin general. Even if there is a slight decline due to the economy China will not be reducing it's usage anytime in the next 20 years.

 

[bert2834]

It doesn't matter how much oil is out there. If it is not drilled and it is not sold to us we are going to pay through the roof for it. We can't keep pissing off the Middle East countries who drill all the oil then expect them to sell it to us at a good rate. I read an article the other day that if trucks were to completely stop delivering goods to New York City that all the shelves in every store would be empty within 17 hours. If truckers can't afford their diesel or go on a nationwide strike we could see some bad times very quickly. It doesn't take a long time for some people to panic. Just some thoughts from Bert. Have a good day!!

 

[NDboy15]

You know what we need: an alternate fuel. We should have started the research back when OPEC screwed us over the first time in the 70's. Gas is only going to go up, might as well start now.

 

[NDOM]

You know what we need: an alternate fuel. We should have started the research back when OPEC screwed us over the first time in the 70's. Gas is only going to go up, might as well start now.

I agree. OPEC screwed us in the 70's and they're doing it now. How the hell does the price of oil go down and the price of gas go up? I dont know about you but for regular unleaded here is 4.23 per gallon right now and thats more than it was on memorial day and since then oil has gone down. This is absolute bulloney.

 

[bert2834]

I agree. OPEC screwed us in the 70's and they're doing it now. How the hell does the price of oil go down and the price of gas go up? I dont know about you but for regular unleaded here is 4.23 per gallon right now and thats more than it was on memorial day and since then oil has gone down. This is absolute bulloney.

Why don't you tell us how you really feel? LOL

 

[SoCalDomer]

I love the SUV hybrid commercials when they are like now more fuel effecient than any other vehicle. you look in the fine print and it only gets 21 miles per gallon haha. How much does the Prius get per gallon

actually, the hybrid vehicles that are made to be hyrbids (i.e. the Prius) get really good gas mileage. 50 around town and up to 50 on the highway. That assumes you're not filling it with 4-250lb people plus cargo; for a general commuter vehicle they do well. The Honda Civic Hybrid because it is already small gets better gas mileage than its straight gas counterpart (40city/50hwy)

It's the vehicles that were not made to b hybrids that they just add a hyrbid system to that don't end up making a significant difference. Like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the GMC/Chev Yukon/Tahoe, and other similar vehicles where they just add a hybrid system to an already heavy vehicle.

 

[Junkhead]

Without opening another can of worms, its too bad all or some of the $400 million PER DAY we are spending in Iraq can't be used developing alternate energy sources. Or at least getting us some of that Iraqi oil!

 

[Junkhead]

actually, the hybrid vehicles that are made to be hyrbids (i.e. the Prius) get really good gas mileage. 50 around town and up to 50 on the highway. That assumes you're not filling it with 4-250lb people plus cargo; for a general commuter vehicle they do well. The Honda Civic Hybrid because it is already small gets better gas mileage than its straight gas counterpart (40city/50hwy)

It's the vehicles that were not made to b hybrids that they just add a hyrbid system to that don't end up making a significant difference. Like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the GMC/Chev Yukon/Tahoe, and other similar vehicles where they just add a hybrid system to an already heavy vehicle.

Wait until the hybrid Hummer comes out!

 

[NDOM]

Why don't you tell us how you really feel? LOL

sorry. just had to get that out. ha ha ha

 

[Jason Pham]

I think it's been briefly mentioned before but there is a multitude of factors in our rising gas prices: Two of our top five oil importers don't like us very much right now, as such, they aren't too lenient with the prices of their oil; as China, India, and other countries in similar situations continue to industrialize and grow in wealth and population the demand for oil continues to increase; I won't go as far as to say that we're almost out of oil resources, but we are consuming at a very high rate and it's only logical to think that we are rapidly diminishing what supplies we might have left; and it's a over-pointed-out factor, but oil companies are also making a small dime on the current situation. Alone, none of these could explain the high prices at the pump or why oil companies continue to make record-setting revenues.

I say all these combined drive the prices of gas up by speculation. The very thought of any of the above realities drives both buyers and sellers to artificially inflate the demand/supply ratio and drive prices up more than they actually ought to be. Think about what happens to the prices of crops when there is a frost-scare. Whether or not the frost comes, the prices of these crops will artificially inflate due to the perception that there will be a scarcity. Crop growers make a killing in profits if the frost never actually comes since they just sold a portion of their harvest at the inflated prices while still maintaining the crops that were speculated to have been destroyed by the frost that never came.

I think we won't see gas prices go back down to more realistic numbers, as if my $80 bucks a fill up for my compact sports saloon isn't real enough, until either we hit a large enough recession that our consumption takes a huge drop or until we develop alternative sources of energy that in turn, will lessen our dependence and demand for oil.

 

[Jason Pham]

Damn it, and here I was thinking I wouldn't get into this debate.

 

[Jason Pham]

For what it's worth, even though I think these 'survivalists' are actually idiots, the energy issue is large enough that the University is actually hosting a national forum on energy consumption and alternatives this coming Fall.

 

[Irish52]

The major international oil companies not only control the supply of oil but the price per gallon of gasoline as well. Their lobbying efforts also control the government oil policy. Thus, a policy that permits no new oil refiners to be built limits the amount of gasoline available at any price. The profits of the American oil companies are astronomical and their CEOs don't do badly either. You would think we could elect a Congress and President who cares....but don't bet on it.

 

[Jason Pham]

Even if we somehow have the right people in office and limit the practices of domestic oil companies, that's only hitting a small fraction of the problem. With our international suppliers cranking up the prices; an increasing international demand for oil; and the perception that the international supply itself is diminishing, both the buyers and the sellers of oil will raise the prices due to speculation. The solution starts with more accurate fact finding and reporting; avoiding these 'survivalist' end of the world types which by acting irrationally only help to drive the prices up even more; and researching and relying on alternative sources that we are not in such a vulnerable position with regards to oil.

That's my opinion, anyway.

 

[Junkhead]

How to harvest solar power? Beam it down from space! - CNN.com

Start working on stuff like this instead of dumping all of our tax money into the desert.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I agree. OPEC screwed us in the 70's and they're doing it now. How the hell does the price of oil go down and the price of gas go up? I dont know about you but for regular unleaded here is 4.23 per gallon right now and thats more than it was on memorial day and since then oil has gone down. This is absolute bulloney.

The US has not built a refinery in about 30 years. You can have all the oil in the world, but with no refineries you have no gas.

 

[MirageSmack]

There was a lady from Alaska on air a few weeks back, I think she was the laison to the governor. She had a lot of interesting info about oil in her state.

She said Alaskans are split on whether or not to develop it because they are proud of their vast wilderness and want to keep it that way. But she knows they are an oil state, and are making so much money from oil right now that they want to give a check back to every citizens in Alaska, like a stipend. She actually said they were making too much money from oil, but she thinks the politicians will interfere and stop the checks from going out. Typical.

She said their isn't that much oil there anyway, but if it were to be developed...get this...they would likely sell it to Japan due to proximity and that they will pay more. So, it ain't gonna help the lower 48 a whole lot.

She said most of Alaska has been paying $4 for gas for years(only cheaper in big cities), in fact around the oil fields it has been $8 - $10 for the past year or so. How ironic is that!

Fact is, oil supply isn't the problem anyway, ever since Enron lobbied congress successfully to allow speculation in the oil industry. That's when the problem started, and it worked out so well for Enron, didn't it. Specualtion, and greed by just a few, is the only reason we are where we are today. But supposedly that is the American way, and you're not allowed to comlain about it, otherwise you're a far left liberal. The oil companies said last week that oil would be in the $35 - $90 range right now, if not for speculators artificially jacking up the prices. You gotta love the American way sometimes. $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Echo Insanity]

i have been doing some research on the electric car industry, and to my amazement, the market is already off and running. check out these guys for instance:

<a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/" target="_blank">Tesla Motors</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOl_1S10jTk" target="_blank">Unveiling of the Tesla Roadster</a>

there is a waiting list for their feature car which runs about $100,000; however, they plan to release a new model called the "white star" in 2010. the white star will have an estimated price of $50,000-70,000. This plan will be followed by the "bluestar" which they plan to sell for around $30,000 in 2012. They are also in the midst of developing roof-mounted solar panels that will help power their future models.
i find this very encouraging. there are a handful of other firms offering electric vehicles, but Tesla seems to be ahead of the pack right now. i think we will be seeing alot more cars at alot lower prices as more and more companies get into this market.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Thanks for the info Echo. while two cars like that would not be practical for me, i could see myself using one as i use my car mostly for commuting and rarely drive in excess of 200 miles per day. I think i'll wait till the $30k model comes out though.

One thing to keep in mind about electric cars even as they become more useable, is that unless the source generating the electricity is not foreign oil or fossil fuels, the impact of reducing fuel prices or benefiting the environment may not be as broad as possible.