[Lone Star]

This is long but the first party pretty much sums it all up. Enjoy! opcorn: :beer


The Energy Non-Crisis

 

[Goehner]

I agree with what he is saying except that the President and his administration are the problem. So....what do you do? The President and the Republicans have been trying to open up access to this supply for a long time. BP, ConocoPhillips and Exon had a deal with the last governor in Alaska to start a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the US, but the new governor killed it. Is it better to use other oil supply (middle east) before we delete ours? I say yes. If there is ever an emergency situation, not $5/gallon diesel, but true crisis, then we should drill it all. Should we drill now? Of course! But the dems and the "green" people want nothing to do with it. Most people know that the good old US of A has plenty of oil and nat gas to satisfy our needs. But the "crazies" will not let us drill.

 

[$30 Cowboy]

Its not just Alaska. There is oil in lots of other places that have a less fragile eco system. They have used the Alaskan example way to much, what about the Dakota example? Claims that North Dakota has more oil than all of Saudi Arabia? I hate to say this, but throwing out examples, and pointing fingers is never going to help the cause. We are destined to pay high fuel prices for eternity. We could have all the oil in the world at our door step, but someone will have their hand in the air to keep that high price...either to afford that ferrari, or there mistress down the street. Times havent changed that much, only peoples ethics.

 

[Compcowboy]

Its not just Alaska. There is oil in lots of other places that have a less fragile eco system. They have used the Alaskan example way to much, what about the Dakota example? Claims that North Dakota has more oil than all of Saudi Arabia? I hate to say this, but throwing out examples, and pointing fingers is never going to help the cause. We are destined to pay high fuel prices for eternity. We could have all the oil in the world at our door step, but someone will have their hand in the air to keep that high price...either to afford that ferrari, or there mistress down the street. Times havent changed that much, only peoples ethics.

:thumbsup Yup

 

[Lone Star]

I ^ agree but we are turning our nose brown trying to get the Saudis to pump more. Thats why we need to drill at home NOW. This will create more jobs aswell as lowering fuel prices a bit more. Supply/Demand theory. I just hate paying for $5 a gallon and I know somewere in Saudi Arabia some king is buying his next round of call girls and my money is contributing to his fun.

 

[yellorover]

Until the government reigns in the futures traders, it will not matter how much we drill in the US.

 

[floridagc]

Two things, its not the Republicans, were do you guys get your propaganda? There is plenty of oil and it is not the demand problem, it is:
1. Our dollar is worthless, who wants to sell you goods if the dollar is going to weaken even more, by the way the dollar is weak because all the mortgage companies and bank that gave loans to people that could not afford there loans to begin with. Any in gods name who would by a house on an arm or balloon, you have to be an idiot to sign loan documents that were structured like this. Now you have a bunch of mortgages that people that cannot afford so the walk away from the property, um why don’t those people go get a second third job to make there payment , but no it’s the American way to walk away and make it someone else’s problem. So this has nothing to do with republicans, it has to do with the American citizen, if you can’t afford that mansion on a grave diggers salary then DON’T BUY IT!
2. Future Traders are also driving prices; you can blame you universities for this. They are aggressively driving prices on speculation. As someone stated above, they are absolutely correct
You will never see the price of crude decline, no use in complaining about it, its here to stay. And to say the republicans and George Bush has anything to do with it is absolute dog doo, this economic situation started when Bin Laden took out the world trade center, it was the start of the economic destruction, which by the way is his plan, “take down the economic structure”.

flgc

 

[coal400]

The supply or price of crude is not the biggest issue concerning fuel prices.
Its the oil companies effort to limit the supply of fuel through limiting the capacity.

The oil companies have not added refining capacity in over 20 years. An the government is allowing this.

Plain and simple, opening the reserves, finding new sources, tapping Alaska... none of these things solve the problem. They only increase the oil companies profits while they limit capacity to drive up prices.
Oh, and any market fluctuation that causes a surplus will cause the oil companies to sell in other markets like Europe.

Diversions...
1. This is a painful step to get people to stop buying SUVs and save our planet.
2. In Europe they pay over $9 a gallon
3. The Arabs are ripping us off

Truths:
1. The oil we burn is CO2 and Energy from the Sun. Climate change has been around long before man, and the CO2 content today is still less than it was during prehistoric time.
2. European countries have been around for a lot longer that the US. In 230 years we have managed to build a lot of highways that negate the need for public transportation. We are not Europe as we don't have the alternatives that Europeans do. Fine another diversion to buy into...
3. Price of crude does contribute to fuel prices, but what we are seeing is a result of the intentional limit of supply in order to maintain the highest fuel price possible.


The sad reality is that once alternative fuels threaten "Big Oil" they will start building extra refining capacity and, like an atom bomb, completely destroy any competition.

High fuel prices also contribute to inflation which hurts America's ability to compete globally. A few A$$holes at the top of some giant mega corps make more money, some geyser stock holders make a few bucks, and the rest of up pay for it. The global economy does not mean America has to grab its ankles and spread its cheeks.

Our government MUST do something, NOW. There will not be a WW2 to bail us out of the next depression, and the world will smile watching the "World Super Power" turn into a giant pit of dust and depression...

I'm all about free market, but there are some markets that are too important for the overall well being and security of our country. The government needs to stomp the oil companies out and start hanging some dirty politicians for treason (selling out the country to a corporation is treason in my book - punishable by death)

 

[Rhyno]

The government needs to stomp the oil companies out and start hanging some dirty politicians for treason (selling out the country to a corporation is treason in my book - punishable by death)

Amen!! I agree with that. But what do we do?

 

[mileshuff]

The oil companies have not added refining capacity in over 20 years. An the government is allowing this.

3. Price of crude does contribute to fuel prices, but what we are seeing is a result of the intentional limit of supply in order to maintain the highest fuel price possible.

Both your statements are partly incorrect. Existing refineries have been expanded over the years. However, no new refineries have been built. Mostly because of econuts who lobby to prevent such construction.

The oil companies have been trying to build new refineries for years. In Arizona permission was given to build a new one. Construction began last year only to be halted in legal tangles by the econut lobbiest.

Your 2nd statement above is only partly correct. True, oil producing nations, OPEC etc. are limiting production to keep prices high. What you don't mention however is the skyrocketing demand for oil in China, India etc. That massive increase in demand is certainly going to be reflected in the price everyone pays.

I don't like it either but most of the major oil companies currently have only a 7% profit margin. Thats compared to the 20% margins they had 20-30 years ago.

 

[Powerfuldodge]

Well I live and work in Fort McMurray ,Alberta. The 2 existing plants Suncor and Syncrude have been expanding for the last five years and within the next 5 years these 2 Sites alone will be producing about a million Barrels a day. Then there are lots of new plants that are being constructed as we speaK OPTI- NEXAN, CNRL, PETRO CANADA. These are the bigger companies plus there are lots of smaller companies that are producing 20000 - 50000 barrel a day plants. As for the price of diesel I have no idea why it is more expensive then gas. Diesel is basically a by-product which requires about 1/3 the refining as gas.

 

[Donn]

Because DEMAND is so high. There is a finite amount of any product that can be extracted from a barrel of crude. Diesel is just one of those products. And yes it comes off earlier and should be cheaper, but again it is a supply and demand thing. Cut China and India off and the price would probably be half of what it is today.

 

[coal400]

Thanks Mile for your qualifying of statements. I still am not convinced that the oil companies have been trying to increase capacity. I'm sure they have a great argument right now, yet I still don't see any proposals for new refineries. Why would the oil companies want to increase production?

China and India are products of the US. The executives that want to send jobs over seas since they produce for pennies on the dollar. This is where my "global economy" remark comes from.

I honestly believe the biggest factor is production capacity. I also think that standard blends would make more sense and state's like California should not be able to dictate their own EPA standards. Some consolidation on these blends would stop yet another excuse.

Lastly the percentages are relative. If you're earning 10,000 a year and someone gives you a 20% raise, that certainly will not amount to the person earning 100,000 a year getting a more "modest" 3% raise.

Diesel is more expensive because our "misunderstood" oil companies are selling refined diesel to European markets where they are in higher demand and thus commanding a higher price.


What do we do? I've heard everything from only purchasing 1 day a week, to only purchasing from 1 brand. I think there should be tax incentives and initiatives for new competition in the market. From bio-fule to additional crude refineries. Tariffs (against foreign companies) and heavy taxes (against domestic companies) should be raised to counter displaced jobs as a result of outsourcing. If we're going to survive in this "global economy" that corporate America gave us, then we need to start looking out for #1. ....ah I'm starting to sound like a socialist

I'm sorry folks. The answer is not a simple one that can be discussed in a forum. I hope my comments have been entertaining, but I think I've said enough on the matter. I watch the rest of you guys express your opinions/ideas BTW - I'm open to doing the 30 day "single brand" purchase idea. What month do we start LOL

 

[ibcummin]

This country is a joke, the government is pathetic, and all they are going to do is run us into the ground! These people are making us do what we dont want to do...ie. filling a tank of diesel a week for more than what our electric bill is in a month! Taking food off of our familys table, not being able to go anywhere for vacation because we just cant afford it, not being able to go to town and spend a little just because we worked hard for it, THAT AINT FREE, maybe this used to be a free country, but not now, not unless you are a minority. Sorry if I offended anyone, but some things just piss me off and some things need to be said.

 

[Guest]

This country is a joke, the government is pathetic, and all they are going to do is run us into the ground! These people are making us do what we dont want to do...ie. filling a tank of diesel a week for more than what our electric bill is in a month! Taking food off of our familys table, not being able to go anywhere for vacation because we just cant afford it, not being able to go to town and spend a little just because we worked hard for it, THAT AINT FREE, maybe this used to be a free country, but not now, not unless you are a minority. Sorry if I offended anyone, but some things just piss me off and some things need to be said.

Amen Brother!!!!! I say bring the troops home from Iraq, let them kick the s**t out of all the tree hugging green people, then we drill wherever the f**k we want.

 

[shskr]

It's a sad day when we pay more for gas and water than we do for meat (food). And they ain't getting any cheaper.

 

[remko12]

Thought yall might like this info, its a little wordy but it helps.

Diesel Fuel Prices: What Consumers Should Know

 

[06fairedfz1]

"Diesel fuel is important to America’s economy, quality of life, and national security. " can someone forward this to the president of this country and the ceo of "big oil". this statement is the key to our survival as a nation. gas prices people can deal with, diesel on the other hand is what feeds this country. i'm not saying this because i now own one, i have always had these opinions on diesel prices.

 

[yellorover]

"can someone forward this to the president of this country and the ceo of "big oil". .

Why, they are not the problem. They want more drilling, the ability to get US resources and the ability to build new refineries.

 

[06fairedfz1]

then why don't we have it, last time i checked they controlled everything else in this country