Sunday, July 22, 2007

Question?

Why are gas prices so high?

Give your answer, here is mine:
1. An explosion in economic development in China and India (lesser extent Africa and South America)
2. Not enough oil refineries in the US
3. Not enough nuclear plants
4. We are not allowed to drill anywhere because of environmental wackos

20 comments:

Scorpion said...

All answers are RIGHT on the MONEY,
you forgot,game,the money part of the equation.The oil billionaires do what they can certainly to keep
supply down and demand high.Keeps their money "flowing" in.

The Game said...

Does the comment moderation stop people from commenting?
I think I have some good topics up here the last two days

Realism said...

I think that we should build some new refineries. With today's technology, they could be far more environmentally friendly than the old refineries in use today.

The Game said...

Well, you know what I think...that is part of it...I think just refineries alone would bring the price down 50 to 80 cents.
But the number one problem is more consumption...by us, but the NEW consumption by China and India...no matter how much WE drill and fix our way of living, they are not...so what do we do?

Jim said...

Build and market hybrids, better public transportation, renewable energy sources, and nuclear power.

Ron said...

Game all those are accurate. And more. What we do is drop the idea of oil and new oil completely. We focus EVERY energy and goal toward alternatives and new ways to do things. Conservation and that above will fix the problem. If we can combine alternatives to get down to 50% of our current consumption we could soon be able to SELL oil to OTHER countries.
The idea of trying to find an answer through oil and pumping every last drop out of the ground is a panic driven, short sighted idea.

The Game said...

It would be nice to have other ways to run our cars...
But for now we use oil (and ethanol is not the answer).
Glad to see you guys not scared of nuclear power...
We need nuclear power, more drilling and more refineries...
For now atleast...
But eventually we either need LOTS more oil or other stuff to use besides oil...

hashfanatic said...

Go nuclear. Fast.

Realism said...

hash, the word is "NOOK-u-ler"

Jim said...

Toyota says its entire fleet will be hybrid by 2012. That's five years away.

Why can't American car companies do that? I went hybrid and decreased my gasoline consumption by 38%. Same size car. Can you imagine what could happen if we could cut consumption nationally by 38%?

The Game said...

Hey, anything that makes them use less gas...but if they cost too much then you are hurting the economy and consumer...so you have to balance it...
I didn't follow the hybrid revolution because it cost too much...A hybrid SUV was in the 30K range...

blamin said...

It's good that this discussion is taking place. But in the spirit of "all things considered" it's worth noting that there's a down side to hybrids, and higher gas mileage vehicles.

That's the fact that higher mileage vehicles are a more dangerous mode of transportation. There is a direct correlation between "high mileage" vehicles and higher rates of death in auto accidents.

Now, one could argue that if all were required to drive sub-compact, high mileage vehicles, the rate of deaths per accident would go down. That seems to be a legitimate theory, but until that happens, I'm not sure I want to put that "extra" danger onto my family. I think I'll stick with a "decent" sized vehicle, with "decent" gas mileage.

Even if it's mandated that all passenger vehicles get 30+ mph, you've still got tractor trailers, busses, construction workers and farmers in pickups to contend with. So until it's mandated that all vehicles on the road are Yugo sized, I'll be against any such legislation.

If we run out of fossil fuels, I guess we all will be forced to drive smaller sized vehicles.

The Game said...

good point blamin..
most of the feul efficiency comes from a lighter car, meaning less safe when you are hit by a heavy car...
That is why I have a big, fat heavy Jeep...

hashfanatic said...

"If we run out of fossil fuels, I guess we all will be forced to drive smaller sized vehicles."

That's why GM was sure to make the Impala and Monte Carlo, and many of their truck/SUV type models their ethanol-compatible models (it is an option that costs around $100...)

Wisely, they realized that a sizable number of Americans still can't get their heads around cars that are sized like the Prius, or cars from the foreign corporations that are far more popular elsewhere. They also have a fantastic precedent in building cars for market in Brazil, which is practically energy-independent at this point.

Where I am, ethanol is unavailable, and will probably continue to be, unless there is another shortage or "embargo"....but it may actually save lives out West, and be way more feasible and practical for lifestyles away from the cities.

To me, the nuclear choice is a no-brainer, but it's key for us that Americans have multiple choices when it comes to personal vehicles...getting off oil would be miraculous, but I believe in miracles, and it would solve a lot of pressing problems going forward, and create new industries we are in dire need of.

Oh, Jeeps...Chrysler has had a LOT of production problems lately, for various reasons. The Grand Cherokee, the Commander, and the Sebring will be ethanol-compatible, but I cannot recommend them, for now, or prior to the 2005 model year. :(

The Game said...

Do you really want to get me started on ethanol.
It sucks...
Is polutes the air more than regular gas, and there are conflicting reports on if it uses even MORE gas to produce.
It makes corn cost to much, making just about everything else cost more.
Stupid, stpuid, stupid idea...
And it destroys small engines...
And I know the Jeep is made like shit, my wife wanted it, it has an 80,000 bumper to bumper...so I guess that is it

hashfanatic said...

You missed my point, game.

We are obligated to check out ALL the alternatives and get them going, whether it be hybrids, ethanol and other alternative fuels, hydrogen...everything!!

Game, every cop car uses an ethanol mix right NOW, and most gas stations are already retrofitted for hydrogen.

Let's not be defeated by all these reasons why independence from oil can't be done...we haven't even started yet!

The Game said...

We can research all we want...but we are spending a lot of money on ethanol, when it actually hurts the environment and uses a lot of oil to make. We are making food cost more as well.

PCD said...

Game,

Rethink your E85 stand.

http://www.e85fuel.com/news/072007/cfdc_issue_brief.pdf

I can't believe I somewhat agree with hash.

The Game said...

Nope, it polutes more, uses more oil to make, and will make my milk $7 a gallon

hashfanatic said...

It is impossible that you believe one single word of what you say.