Gas Price Complaints Turn Ugly at the Pump

We have intentionally put ourselves in this position. There are few constructive transportation alternatives. Affluenza mandates always "more and better." Credit cards provide the illusion of affluence. We have chosen to NOT live within our means nor model or follow sustainable lifestyles (called Spending Natural Capital). We will now begin to pay the price for ignoring natural constraints.

Major changes are coming, more rapidly than we realize - all because we have substituted oil for knowledge. Successful people will apply the knowledge of efficiency. See, for example, "Sacramento Without Oil":

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=oid%3A46557

 

What the scenario fails to explore is Fisher-Tropshe oil production. If we can't be imaginitive we can always make oil from coal. A horrible scenario, admittedly, because the GHG emissions would be HUGE. The coal industry is already courting congress. There are plans to start developing these resources. This stuff is not counted in the oil reserves. Neither are oil shales. I hope that we pursue more sustainable alternatives but the 'doomsday' or peak oil is not, it would seem, a realistic scenario. The ravages of climate change brought on by a massive increase in GHG is the more likely outcome if we can't adopt more sustainable transportation sector energy sources.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 30 2006, 04:38 PM) [snapback]262956[/snapback]</div>

Tripp,
you're right, the "nightmare scenario" is probably not going to happen barring massive cutoff of oil supplies (ie, nuclear war in the middle east, or Chavez in Venezuela deciding that he wanted to strike back against the pig-headed americans).

However, oil shale as well as FT oil production, aside from having a huge environmental cost, still puts oil at very high prices compared to our heyday of $20/gallon. We might be looking at current prices, but with greater supply, until the processes become mature (think 5-10 years).

That in itself is sure to bring a slowdown to our current cheap-petrochem lifestyle. I have no idea how this will all play out.

 

Liquid hydrocarbon fuel can be made from air, if necessary; all it needs is a big energy input. Use a non-fossil source (Solar, wind, nuclear) and the process is neutral with respect to atmospheric CO2.

Most of us will live to see fossil fuels outlawed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ May 30 2006, 12:29 PM) [snapback]262862[/snapback]</div>

Rage against big oil. It's funny how free market economics are evil when supply and demand are nearly equal. Idiots. Personal responsibilty so rarely enters into the equation that it's sickening.

 

I don't know about this, when I'm working and driving 50 miles 4 days a week the fact that I fill up every 2.5 weeks kind of doesn't make me suffer much at all.

I'm curious what types of cars do the people own who are having the fits of rage at the pump.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ May 31 2006, 03:12 PM) [snapback]263612[/snapback]</div>

Probably the type who want "status" but can barely afford the jacked-up F250 supercab (let alone gas at $2.70/gal) with the "Support Our Troops" and Calvin pissing on a Dodge stickers on the rear window.

Ditto the people who just bought escalades and who have huge CC bills because they "NEED" stuff to make them happy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 31 2006, 04:17 PM) [snapback]263614[/snapback]</div>

I have no sympathy. These people get exactly what they deserve.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 31 2006, 02:17 PM) [snapback]263614[/snapback]</div>

Not that I'm siding with the rage and certainly not the single person/car commuters in bozomobiles, but some folks are getting hit hard by the fuel costs. Our local newpaper delivery person (delivers to the stores and people) is calling it quits. We're in a rural area and a tax cutting initiative that passed in 2000 cut off his normal ferry route. Now takes much longer to pickup papers and much more fuel to pickup and deliver. Costs have just gotten too high for him to continue. Not sure if there will be someone to replace him.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 31 2006, 08:27 PM) [snapback]263787[/snapback]</div>

I think that's already begun. But people seem to notice it less than high gasoline prices. Walmart et al. are very seriously looking at a variety of mitigation steps. Everything from mpg improvements, to biofuels, to plug-ins at truck stops that allow the drivers to turn their engines off while sleeping (that one alone would be huge). Rail is appearently making a comeback as well due to the high fuel costs. UPS and Fed-EX have invested in route planning software to trim fuel costs. Efficiency is in vogue as well it should be.

 

we still haven't addressed the problem of the trucker with your food on board and him at the pump and putting in 5-700$ a fill. The load of food delivered to you local store now has a transportation cost all out of proportion to what it was 2 years ago. Have your wages trippeled? I doubt it, mine hasn't and won't so I like you just have to eat the trucking cost of food delivery. With out the increase the trucker goes broke and your food rots in the field. Now you know what it's like to drive off the road and into the ditch in slowmo.

 

Nah, giant miscanthus is where it's at. Ornamental grass that perenially grows 8' wide and 14' tall every year in zones as cold as zone 4, and four times as efficiently as current ethanol crops. Plus, birds can nest in it better than in many other crops, so it would promote avian biodiversity. A recent study showed that 20% of Illinois agricultural land planted with giant miscanthus would power the entire state including the city of Chicago, and the CO2 released would just be that which was absorbed by the plant during the year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 31 2006, 10:27 PM) [snapback]263787[/snapback]</div>

And had the rail roads not gone to poo, this wouldn't be an issue. R.R. are far more efficient at moving goods than a truck.

See: Swiss rail (SBB) Gotthard Base Tunnel

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 31 2006, 07:27 PM) [snapback]263787[/snapback]</div>

There was a note by a local radio program producer today that said the plumber that she called to her house to fix a leak added a $10 "fuel surcharge" on the bill without any notice - just expecting that she would pay.

Dave

 

LOL "gas rage" that's classic.... :lol:

 

While I have complained about NYs high gas taxes (a % not a flat amount), the Gov & State Legislature to gain some points with the voters, capped the gas tax at the $2 a gallon level. In NY, the state sales tax is 4%, the rest is added on by the counties at their own rates, with State rubber stamp approval.

They 'urged' local counties to follow suit. When most counties looked, that action would cost them so much against their budgets, they would have to raise county property taxes to make up the difference.

My head says, great lower taxes, but my gut aches with a move that seems to further encourage over consumption and waste and panders to the voter. I believe it was the Chairperson of Chevron who recently said Americans have to stop thing of oil as something to be wasted, but rather as a precious comodity.