TresSugar

High Price For Cheap Gas - Would You Rather Pay More?

LibertySugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:01:42 -0800

Last Summer the religious prayed for relief at the pump, lawmakers called for a 55 mph national speed limit to conserve fuel, and cash-strapped drivers chanted, "Drill, baby. Drill!" But today, oil goes for $40 a barrel, one-third of what it cost in July. Recently, Salon took an in-depth look into the negative consequences of falling oil prices.

Low gas prices mean economic hardship and instability in oil-producing countries - like Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Kuwait, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico - who use oil revenue to fund education, health care, or to create jobs. In addition, without the pain at the pump, we give less priority to conservation, public transportation, and developing alternative energy sources. Continued dependence on increasingly unstable oil countries could be the high price of low gas prices!

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Oregon's Green Idea: Taxing For Miles Driven Instead of Gas

LibertySugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:01:24 -0800

Oregon drivers may soon start limiting their joyrides. The governor has called for a highway tax based on miles driven, not gasoline purchases after gas tax revenues dropped to $4.8 million a year compared with 2006.

The idea is that a state task force would equip every new vehicle in the state with a Global Positioning System device to record every mile driven and where. Motorists would pay at the gas pump based on how much they drove, whether they drive a Prius or a clunker party bus.

Oregon is one of the first states to start talking about a mileage fee, but Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island, Minnesota and Texas have expressed interest in dropping the gas tax and charging drivers for their mileage. The proposal has already received plenty of opposition from Oregonians who say it would discriminate against rural residents, who have to drive farther for groceries, school and work, and caused concerns about government monitoring.

Do you think it's a smart move?

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Is Google Searching For Public Policy Answers?

LibertySugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:15:55 -0700

Google wants to get the US economy running on clean energy. This week Google's nonprofit announced a plan to cut the use of fossil fuels in the US before 2030. For $4.4 trillion "Clean Energy 2030" would help end the use of coal and oil to generate electricity. The plan would allow for the use of natural gas and nuclear power, and also calls for cutting oil use in cars by 40 percent. By 2030, however, the net savings would top $1 trillion.

Google's climate and energy technology manager explained the company's motivation:

We can build whole new industries and create millions of new jobs. We can cut energy costs, both at the gas pump and at home. We can improve our national security. And we can put a big dent in climate change. With strong leadership we could be moving forward on an aggressive but realistic timeline and an approach that offsets costs with real economic gains.

Google asserts that the US will have to invest in renewable energy research, upgrade the electricity grid, impose better mileage standards, and build infrastructure such as charging stations for electric vehicles. Should Americans turn to the private sector for leadership on a public issue?

The South Needs Some Serious Gas Relief After Hurricanes

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Fallout from Hurricane Ike and Gustav has spiraled into massive gas shortages in the Southeast. Drivers in Nashville, TN, where the problem is the worst, wait in long lines and some follow tankers around in hopes of being the first to fill up before a station goes dry.

In western North Carolina local governments have been forced to cancel programs, since there's not much gas to travel to activities. One city canceled athletic events, and another county has limited all municipal travel to emergency vehicles for the past few weeks. Many workers in the region have been told to work four 10-hour days, or telecommute.

In Atlanta, one of the nation's largest commuter cities, many stations have run out of gas, and they have no idea when more will come. Once residents find a station with fuel, they often must dole out $5 a gallon, and wait in 40-car lines. What would you do if your city ran out of gas?

View 3 Photos ›

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A Car That Gets 65 Miles Per Gallon?! Not in the US

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:10 -0700

Picture this: a brand-new, five-seat compact car, complete with a navigation system, gas mileage up to 65 miles per gallon, and a $1,300 tax deduction with purchase. Are you ready to buy? Well you'll have to move to Europe first!

High oil prices mean that Americans are hungry for more gas-efficient cars. But, the new Ford ECOnetic Fiesta,, which runs on diesel, will not be offered to the American driver. To find out why diesel is a deal breaker, read more.

Diesel pollution risks have motivated state lawmakers to tax diesel pumps more than gasoline. In addition, there are not enough refineries to produce large supplies. Mix in the fact that the Fiesta's diesel engine is made in pricey Britain, Ford doesn't think it can sell enough to make the car a smart business decision in the US.

There are indications that other (ironically foreign) companies will start selling ultra-clean-diesel cars in America. Volkswagen and Mercedes have cars coming out soon, which include a pollution trap that must be maintained. Purchasers of these new diesel cars will also receive a tax credit.

Do you think diesel will solve the US's gas woes, or will it just risk more pollution when the cars aren't maintained?

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Are Gas Prices the Real Reason For the Housing Crisis?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:45:17 -0700

I'm already a fan of Scotty Iseri's politically-charged pop music - but when he puts together a Morgan Spurlock-esque explanation about how the housing crisis isn't really due so much to "predatory lending" and "reckless borrowing" but the cost of getting out to those McMansions my interest was piqued.

Scotty's piece studies Buffalo Grove, outside of Chicago, IL, where residents spend almost a quarter of their income on transportation cost, and nothing is accessible without getting behind a wheel. Showing how Buffalo Grove's houses have declined 8 percent in value, while Chicago - where it's possible to live close to everything you need without getting in a car has seen housing prices go up almost 10 percent, makes a lot of sense. Similar trends are happening in Portland, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles, where the draw of houses far away pales in comparison to that ubiquitous "pain at the pump."

What do you think? Is gas the real grinch?

Where I'm Clicking Now: Fuelly - Compare Gas Mileage

CitizenSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:00:15 -0700

In the ultimate combination of the "everyone knows where I am-ness" of Twitter and everyone's favorite topics, gas prices and fuel economy, Fuelly has just launched to help you manage the ins and outs of your gas tank.

The streamlined application lets you create an account and track how much you're spending on gas, how good your m.p.g. rating is - and compare yourself with other users. The site works a trick on an iPhone, letting you track right from the pump, and it has handy tips to conserve fuel without changing much at all. Like if you're idling for more than 10 seconds (ahem, drive-thru), it's better to park and hit the counter.

Fuelly might just be the next best way to keep up with the Joneses and keep track of your Benjamins.

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States Struggling: Budget Crises Lead to Desperate Measures

CitizenSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:01:09 -0700

If you thought your wallet was feeling light, it's not just you - states are feeling the budget crunch just as hard - with unique ways to manage the money meltdown.

In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has just threatened to pay state employees federal minimum wage in an effort to push lawmakers to agree on a budget. Even though minimum wage hikes up today, it would still mean thousands of workers would only take home $6.55 an hour (which is still $1.45 an hour less than CA's minimum wage.)

The budget stall comes as Republicans and Democrats battle to bridge the $15.2 billion budget shortfall California is facing. Republicans want to deal with money crisis through cuts, Democrats are angling for more taxes. Schwarzenegger says he won't sign a budget unless it contains improvements like a rainy day fund to help the state through tough times. Hmm. Just like we're supposed to have at home!

Also in the category of, "Governments! They're just like us!" Gas! Though consumers have been concerned about the price of fuel for months, state budgets - especially for driving heavy departments, like the police - are way overdrawn on fuel bills. To see how cops have to carpool, read more.

In Montana, where the Highway Patrol sometimes has to drive up to 100 miles to answer a call in their fuel inefficient Crown Victorias (a big ol' 15 m.p.g) they've busted their budget by $340,000 in gas bills alone. Where's the money coming from? The personnel budget. No new cops 'til the tanks get filled.

Over in New Mexico, they're in similar straits, and are waiting for the governor to call a special legislative session to get their gas card paid off. They're trying to though! In addition to carpooling whenever they can, one Lieutenant says, "we have asked officers to shop around and know where the cheapest gas is to buy." Shopping for gas - that won't take time out of the "keeping us safe" part of the day or anything.

Nevada is $1 million dollars over budget on gas. Their solution is getting officers to drive less. So less patrolling, more speed-trapping. If you're headed through the Silver State, watch for smokies under the overpasses - they'll be sitting there, saving fuel.

Are any of these state measures to save, smart? What's the solution when states are as pinched as taxpayers - the same ones who give the states money to begin with?

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Top Five Cheapest States to Fill Up Your Gas Tank. . . .

CitizenSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:45:49 -0700

This I didn't know: Alaska has the highest gas prices in the US? Wow. The average up there in Klondike country is $4.63. California follows pretty closely at $4.50, and Hawaii, Connecticut, and Washington round out the top five.

So where should you be heading to fill up? Missouri is the cheapest at $3.86 (aw! Remember $3 gas! I made a scrapbook of it!) helped along by their record-low gas tax. Oklahoma, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Iowa round out the cheapest five states to fill up. So now that gas stations are having to use up a whole bunch more "4"s to fill their prices signs, where in the world will they get them all?

Can you guess who had this explanation for it? "I know what you're thinking. The fours have probably been replaced by illegal Mexican quatros." To find out, read more.

Last night on the Colbert Report, Stephen showed off his capitalistic prowess claiming that he's got the monopoly on all the fours needed for the rising gas prices. Funny, but let's hope he doesn't have a stockpile of fives, too? OK, Stephen? You hear me?

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55 Miles Per Hour! Should the Nation Slow Down?

LibertySugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:00:05 -0700

US Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) wants the nation to slooooow down. The representative, channeling Richard Nixon, has proposed a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

In 1974, Nixon ushered in a fuel-conservation policy unseen since World War II. The new law covered the nation with a federal speed limit (up to that point, states had set their own limits) and cut off federal funding to states that wouldn't comply. Nixon's act was repealed by Congress in 1995. Now back in similar oil-straits like the country saw in the 70s, slowing down to conserve may be back in fashion.

Here are some of the highs and lows of slowing down:

The Pros: Leads to safer driving, saving lives. Saves money, since each five miles over 60 mph costs 30 cents more per gallon. Decreases dependence on oil producing countries.

The Cons: Could result in more traffic, slower commutes. There is a possibility for more speeding tickets. Insurance rates could go up, as a result of tickets.

Even though Sammy Hagar can't drive 55, is this a good idea?

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