Oil companies are raking in record profits; they still get government handouts for exploration and who knows what else and the price at the pump has doubled in a few short years.

Realisticly our government isn't going to do anything. I don't see a breakup of the largest oil companies or even windfall profits being taxed. Proving price fixing is virtually impossible. What can be done? Well this is a case where "we the people" can actually make an impact. We can CHOOSE where we buy our overpriced gasoline. The American people can pick a company - my choice is Exxon/Mobil - and boycott! Their prices are always highest in my town anyway so although I used to buy ALL my gas at the Mobil closest to my house, I now make a point of purchasing elsewhere. There's a gas station on every corner. Buy your gas on the other side of the street. In most towns, you don't even have to go out of your way. When Exxon/Mobil finally feels the pinch, they'll lower their prices and the others will follow suit.

Tell your friends.

The price of petrol in the UK is £0.96p per litre or £4.32 per gallon

That converts to $7.96c per gallon.

Remind me how massive the price is in the USA?;) :rolleyes:

Col

What can be done?
Well to start with you could end the love affair with huge gas guzzlers and start being more frugal with energy use.
If we don't change our habits and realise that carbon fuels are not an infinite resource we're all going to be left high and dry

What can be done?
You could stop invading and destroying oil supplying countries, especially when they are no threat. That causes shortages then the whole world pays for your leaders ego boosting trip.:rolleyes:

GWB only has to mention Iran and the price per barrel shoots up and we pay at the pumps. The high prices we all pay is largely thanks to the USA and the incompetent way it conducts foreign policy. World peace keeper? thats a joke:rolleyes:

Col

Oil companies are raking in record profits;


So does Microsoft


Realisticly our government isn't going to do anything. I don't see a breakup of the largest oil companies or even windfall profits being taxed.


Depends on what country you refer to.
For instance Total-Elf -Fina in France were paying more than 19% taxes ( on their interest !) back to the France Government, a percentage which was increased to some 30% end 2005.
Same for the Netherlands.
I don't have any reliable figures on those in the UK ( Philips, BP, etc)


We can CHOOSE where we buy our overpriced gasoline. The American people can pick a company - my choice is Exxon/Mobil - and boycott!


Boycotting any Oil company wouldn't have the slightest effect.
They will sell their upstream/downstream products simply to their compatitor
for some 2ct less than they would sell it themselves. This is a standard practice in the kerosine /airplane world. Most of the planes fuelled with kerosine are coming out of designated refineries and they only lable it when
loaded to the fueller truck.


Overpriced Gasoline


Take a look at this and you will stop complaining :
http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en_International_Fuel_Prices_2005.pdf
Pages 23, 24, 50 and 51.

Although these figures are from 2004, you may read that the US is one of lowest in paying gasoline prices at the gas station.
Moreover, the highest prices are paid in Europe, especially Iceland, Netherlands, Norway and the UK.
These high prices are directly related to the fact that we ( NL) pay some
65% of taxes for each liter of gasoline !.
If someone is to boycot, we should boycot our government.

if the price goes to $100/barrel maybe people will finally start demanding electric/hybrid cars. they're ready and waiting, there are even waiting lists...

if the price goes to $100/barrel maybe people will finally start demanding electric/hybrid cars. they're ready and waiting, there are even waiting lists...

Electric Cars actually polute more than Gasoline.

Electric Cars actually polute more than Gasoline.
It seems to us that the USA is totally dependant on the car. The reports we see on TV indicate that the thought of an American getting a smaller car or even taking the bus is totally alien.

Then there was a report recently where fuel prices almost reached $3 per gallon. .. . . . . . . . wow what a catastrophe, if prices in Europe fell to $5 per gallon we'd be over the moon:rolleyes:

Lets have European prices in the USA and see what happens

Col

It seems to us that the USA is totally dependant on the car. The reports we see on TV indicate that the thought of an American getting a smaller car or even taking the bus is totally alien.

Then there was a report recently where fuel prices almost reached $3 per gallon. .. . . . . . . . wow what a catastrophe, if prices in Europe fell to $5 per gallon we'd be over the moon:rolleyes:

Lets have European prices in the USA and see what happens

Col

You’re starting to sound like Rich, you’re criticizing a system in which you are unfamiliar. You live on an island that has 130,000 square kilometers with a population of 60,000,000. The United States has 9,629,091 with a population of 300,000,000.

What about our system are you trying to criticize?

Col you simply do not have a clue.

You could stop invading and destroying oil supplying countries, especially when they are no threat. That causes shortages then the whole world pays for your leaders ego boosting trip.:rolleyes:

GWB only has to mention Iran and the price per barrel shoots up and we pay at the pumps. The high prices we all pay is largely thanks to the USA and the incompetent way it conducts foreign policy. World peace keeper? thats a joke:rolleyes:

Col

Yeah it was a big joke during WW3 when we kept the Bear out of your back yard.

If we hadn’t you boys would’ve looked out your back window and wetted your drawers,

Yeah it was a big joke during WW3 when we kept the Bear out of your back yard.

If we hadn’t you boys would’ve looked out your back window and wetted your drawers,
WW3? Bears?

You ok Josie?;)

Col

You’re starting to sound like Rich, you’re criticizing a system in which you are unfamiliar. You live on an island that has 130,000 square kilometers with a population of 60,000,000. The United States has 9,629,091 with a population of 300,000,000.

I'm unclear what you're saying here. Ok, you cleverly worked out that the USA is bigger than the UK:confused: hint: we knew that already, but I'm impressed you worked it out;)


Col you simply do not have a clue.

about why Americans moan on about paying $2.90 for a gallon? no I haven't a clue, have you?

Col

Rak is actually correct about this. It’s the jobbers that set the price. If we boycott an oil company it will have basically a net zero effect.

First if we could organize a large enough boycott, the finished product would just move laterally in the pipeline, you would barely see a difference, because the gasoline would end up in the same tank no mater what. You would just shift a small percentage of the profit to the other oil companies because they don’t have the capacity to make up for the loss of a major producer like Exxon. In fact it might even cause the prices to go up because Exxon would gouge the other oil companies as they (competitors)approached maximum capacity.


The only real way to effect it is to force the car maker to introduce more efficient cars and slowdown the demand.

The only real way to affect it is to force the car maker to introduce more efficient cars and slowdown the demand.

And for the major US manufacturing industries to move from Oil/Gas to Nuclear power stations.

You’re starting to sound like Rich, you’re criticizing a system in which you are unfamiliar.

Well then tell this ignoramus how you managed to get around the States before the invention of the car and aeroplane? :rolleyes:

And for the major US manufacturing industries to move from Oil/Gas to Nuclear power stations.

What do we do with the waste, leave it for future generations ?:confused:

Well then tell this ignoramus how you managed to get around the States before the invention of the car and aeroplane? :rolleyes:

Horses....

What do we do with the waste, leave it for future generations ?:confused:

We could ship it to The British.

If we hadn’t you boys would’ve looked out your back window and wetted your drawers,


Like we did when Hitler tried his luck, remember that was the time when you boys were sat at home having your cosy fireside chats? :rolleyes:


Yeah it was a big joke during WW3 when we kept the Bear out of your back yard.


Well actually this ignoramus hates to point it out but the Poles started to throw the Bear out without your help and of course Tito wouldn't let the Bears into his country to start with.

Horses....
You've forgotten The Iron Horse, in other words public transport, make more use of it

We could ship it to The British.
We're cleaning up enough of your mess already, thank you!

Electric Cars actually polute more than Gasoline.
rotflmao............

You've forgotten The Iron Horse, in other words public transport, make more use of it


There isn't much public transportation where I live. So I can't make use of it. ;)

There isn't much public transportation where I live. So I can't make use of it. ;)
We too have rural areas where the public transport is either poor or even non existant, however with a little imagination this can be overcome;)

We too have rural areas where the public transport is either poor or even non existant, however with a little imagination this can be overcome;)

Perhaps, this gas thing is killin' me too. My car is a 2005 Kia Rio. It only has a 10 gallon tank. It cost me almost $30 to fill it up. As much driving as I do, I'm doing that 2 to 3 times a week. That is about 90$ a week. That is a bit much for me to afford. But I do what I have to do to make sure I have gas.

Even the pawn shops in Columbia are doing great business due to people having to pawn items for gas money. It is a sad state if you ask me.

You’re starting to sound like Rich,
Knowlegable, intelligent, humourous, etc. . . . . . . . . .yes. I can see it now:)

Col

rotflmao............

Well I was wondering how you were going to react.

The vast majority of electricity is produced by burning coal.

In spite of laws to prevent it, electricity producers are among the largest polluters. If we shift transportation fuel consumption to electricity we will need to radically increase the capacity in the system, consuming even more coal.

Well I was wondering how you were going to react.

The vast majority of electricity is produced by burning coal.

In spite of laws to prevent it, electricity producers are among the largest polluters. If we shift transportation fuel consumption to electricity we will need to radically increase the capacity in the system, consuming even more coal.

Then you need to enforce the laws that make the burning of fossil fuels both more efficient and cleaner, besides which the US has far greater use of the sun for solar energy than we do

Perhaps, this gas thing is killin' me too. My car is a 2005 Kia Rio. It only has a 10 gallon tank. It cost me almost $30 to fill it up. As much driving as I do, I'm doing that 2 to 3 times a week. That is about 90$ a week. That is a bit much for me to afford. But I do what I have to do to make sure I have gas.

Even the pawn shops in Columbia are doing great business due to people having to pawn items for gas money. It is a sad state if you ask me.

Why not get a scooter ?:confused:

We too have rural areas where the public transport is either poor or even non existant, however with a little imagination this can be overcome;)

Did you read my earlier post on the size of this country.

Stubornly spouting ignorance once again.

Did you read my earlier post on the size of this country.

Stubornly spouting ignorance once again.

Have you never heard the phrase "size doesn't matter" ? :rolleyes:
What the hell does size have to do with it anyway, there are other bigger countries on the planet that manage without cars?
Are the Russians and Chinese stupid? Please stop and think before jumping in with rash statements:rolleyes:

The only answer is research. We need to develop new fuels.

Just think if our leadership would have invested the 1,200,000,000,000 dollars they squandered invading Iraq, on energy research, or just education, where we would be.

Have you never heard the phrase "size doesn't matter" ? :rolleyes:
What the hell does size have to do with it anyway, there are other bigger countries on the planet that manage without cars?
Are the Russians and Chinese stupid? Please stop and think before jumping in with rash statements:rolleyes:

Soon the Chinese will have more cars than us.

What do we do with the waste, leave it for future generations ?:confused:

There is an extensive program ongoing to develop Fast nuclear or Hybrid nuclear reactors. This means that high level radioactive waste is transmuted into byproducts and/or low level radioactive waste. The low level waste can be stored for some 10 to 50 years , during which most of the radioactive isotopes will decay, and the waste can be disposed of as normal refuse.

If we continue to use our sources as we do today, we have to decide to apply alternative methods of energy sources. Nuclear powered power stations may be one of them.

There is an extensive program ongoing to develop Fast nuclear or Hybrid nuclear reactors. This means that high level radioactive waste is transmuted into byproducts and/or low level radioactive waste. The low level waste can be stored for some 10 to 50 years , during which most of the radioactive isotopes will decay, and the waste can be disposed of as normal refuse.

If we continue to use our sources as we do today, we have to decide to apply alternative methods of energy sources. Nuclear powered power stations may be one of them.


An increase in fission reactors is a viable intermediate step to a world powered by fusion.

My long term goals include building a biofuel farm in North East Texas. My family own land there and we are making plans to create a self sufficient community using advanced technologies to raise aquatic crops, recycled waste and obtain energy from solar and what we can grow ourselves.

Did you read my earlier post on the size of this country.

Stubornly spouting ignorance once again.

Just insulting people is not a valid argument, however true it is that your country is bigger that isn't the only issue, lack of good alternative transport probably is, but lets face it Americans just wont walk. I discovered this on my first trip to the States in '88 and don't think anything has changed.

Actually it was quite funny I'm sure it will amuse Rich and Col.

It was a business trip, we were staying in Costa Mesa , south LA, and wanted to take some genuine American cookies home so we asked the hotel conciege where to get them.

" Make a right out of the parking lot , right onto Bear , cross Sunflower and the parking lot for the Supermarket is on the right" So we walked some 200 yards down the hotel carpark to our car followed the directions and as we got out of our car we looked back at the entrance to the hotel about 150 yards away.:D :D :D

Brian

It only has a 10 gallon tank. It cost me almost $30 to fill it up.

Okay so I need tofill up today as well

Now that will be around 50 litres. That's around 11 gallons (British) At about £0.97 per litre about £48.50 or $87.30 approx.

Okay so I get 45 miles to the gallon and cos england is not so big as USA as pointed out earlier I probably do not drive so far.
BUT the damn tax man here takes such a slice that any boycott is pointless as the oil company part of the cost is really very small. but it seems that every government that I can remember and that's quite a few has always seen fuel tax as a nice little earner.

Haven't got to to the point of "hocking" anything yet, maybe I will have to sell my body instead.:D :D :D

L

Wouldn't fusion reactors be a better alternative ?
I understood that Fusion reactors would produce less hazardous radioactive waste. Because their fuel, deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen readily separated from water), is far less expensive to obtain than enriched uranium, fusion reactors also would be far more economical to operate.


Source NCAS

Soon the Chinese will have more cars than us.

Is that because there are a few more of them?

Brian

Just insulting people is not a valid argument, however true it is that your country is bigger that isn't the only issue, lack of good alternative transport probably is, but lets face it Americans just wont walk. I discovered this on my first trip to the States in '88 and don't think anything has changed.

Actually it was quite funny I'm sure it will amuse Rich and Col.

It was a business trip, we were staying in Costa Mesa , south LA, and wanted to take some genuine American cookies home so we asked the hotel conciege where to get them.

" Make a right out of the parking lot , right onto Bear , cross Sunflower and the parking lot for the Supermarket is on the right" So we walked some 200 yards down the hotel carpark to our car followed the directions and as we got out of our car we looked back at the entrance to the hotel about 150 yards away.:D :D :D

Brian

Your absolutely right Brian. Insulting is not useful.

However Rich, and sometime Col post with this British Superiority and it is quite annoying.

By the way that is a funny story.

If you go to the shopping mall you see idiots blocking traffic and sitting for 2 to 3 minutes to get a parking space 100 feet closer to the entrance.

From my point of view, the size of the country is somewhat irrelevant. Many people have decided to live miles upon miles away from their workplace in suburbia and then complain that they need to drive too much.

It's like complaining you can't figure out why you're getting overweight while standing in line to purchase a candy bar.

Wouldn't fusion reactors be a better alternative ?
I understood that Fusion reactors would produce less hazardous radioactive waste. Because their fuel, deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen readily separated from water), is far less expensive to obtain than enriched uranium, fusion reactors also would be far more economical to operate.


Source NCAS



The future of energy is fusion.

If you go to the shopping mall you see idiots blocking traffic and sitting for 2 to 3 minutes to get a parking space 100 feet closer to the entrance.

They do that here too, also park in the disabled user bays, I notice this as my wife has a badge, but have to say we didn't notice that kind of abuse in the States, but maybe it happens i don't know.

Brian

However Rich, and sometime Col post with this British Superiority and it is quite annoying.
Well we're usually right:D ;)

I'll repeat my comment to you which you sneakily ignored :D


You’re starting to sound like Rich, you’re criticizing a system in which you are unfamiliar. You live on an island that has 130,000 square kilometers with a population of 60,000,000. The United States has 9,629,091 with a population of 300,000,000.


I'm unclear what you're saying here. Ok, you cleverly worked out that the USA is bigger than the UK:confused:

Col

Well we're usually right:D ;)

I'll repeat my comment to you which you sneakily ignored :D






Col

Well, the next time you're actually going to use facts, would you let me know please?

Well, the next time you're actually going to use facts, would you let me know please?
meaning what exactly?

Have I misquoted a fact?

Col

meaning what exactly?

Have I misquoted a fact?

Col
Meaning, I'm just jacking you up.

Meaning, I'm just jacking you up.
oh right - a vague attempt at humour:rolleyes:

Col

Lets have European prices in the USA and see what happens


err let's not and say we did. Your prices S-U-C-K! :D

I don't know much on this subject so I'm just going to pose a question.

Doesn't the rise in gas prices have something to do with destabilizing the societies of the main global oil producers? I thought it was the fear of lack of supply that drives prices up?

Doesn't the rise in gas prices have something to do with destabilizing the societies of the main global oil producers? I thought it was the fear of lack of supply that drives prices up?
I said that

You could stop invading and destroying oil supplying countries, especially when they are no threat. That causes shortages then the whole world pays for your leaders ego boosting trip.

GWB only has to mention Iran and the price per barrel shoots up and we pay at the pumps. The high prices we all pay is largely thanks to the USA and the incompetent way it conducts foreign policy.

But then Josie responded by stating that the USA was bigger than the UK and that I knew nothing about it:rolleyes:

Col

I don't know much on this subject so I'm just going to pose a question.

Doesn't the rise in gas prices have something to do with destabilizing the societies of the main global oil producers? I thought it was the fear of lack of supply that drives prices up?

Actually there is a glut right now. This is price fixing pure and simple. Get used to it, it only gets worse from here on out.

I said that



But then Josie responded by stating that the USA was bigger than the UK and that I knew nothing about it:rolleyes:

Col


Well Col,

If we had the desire to change from planes to trains, it would take 20 years to create an info structure to accommodate it.

Planes work fine for us because our population density is less than Europe not that we have more land.

Once again British guys taking things out of context, as a way of making irrational arguments.

Once again British guys taking things out of context, as a way of making irrational arguments.

What's out of context and what's irrational ? :confused: :rolleyes:

Actually there is a glut right now. This is price fixing pure and simple. Get used to it, it only gets worse from here on out.

I did question whether it was the fear of a potential situation not the current situation itself that drives prices up. So with that in mind, do you think that the current political climate in the Middle-East is somewhat to blame for high gas prices?

What's out of context and what's irrational ? :confused: :rolleyes:



Col quoted me as saying the US was larger; yet the data indicated the population is less dense.

And to think it would be possible to solve our energy problems by adapting Britain’s, is irrational. You basically live in a large urban area (compared to the US). Our North East Corridor already uses more or less the same system as you. It works fine there, but again it is irrational to try to apply that fix to the rest of the less densely populated US.

I did question whether it was the fear of a potential situation not the current situation itself that drives prices up. So with that in mind, do you think that the current political climate in the Middle-East is somewhat to blame for high gas prices?

Not just the Middle East but elsewhere in the world, and the people making the money are those who speculate on the commodoties markets, plus of course there was a recent spate of panic buying in the US when rumours of huge price rises surfaced;)

Col quoted me as saying the US was larger; yet the data indicated the population is less dense.

And to think it would be possible to solve our energy problems by adapting Britain’s, is irrational. You basically live in a large urban area (compared to the US). Our North East Corridor already uses more or less the same system as you. It works fine there, but again it is irrational to try to apply that fix to the rest of the less densely populated US.
No it isn't, the irrational part is insisting that you need to get around very quickly, as I've already said, Sel could save a lot of money by buying a scooter, that's not irrational, it may be uncomfortable. Like I said "Unless we look for ways of drastically reducing our dependancy on fossil fuels we're all going to be up the creek without a paddle" and in any case when you take the price we pay for fuel your criteria is irrelevant. Can you work that logic out or do I have to expand on it?

No it isn't, the irrational part is insisting that you need to get around very quickly, as I've already said, Sel could save a lot of money by buying a scooter, that's not irrational, it may be uncomfortable. Like I said "Unless we look for ways of drastically reducing our dependancy on fossil fuels we're all going to be up the creek without a paddle" and in any case when you take the price we pay for fuel your criteria is irrelevant. Can you work that logic out or do I have to expand on it?


If it was only myself, I would invest in a motobike and travel that way. However, I have two children. That wouldn't work for me. I don't think a car seat will fit in side car.

No it isn't, the irrational part is insisting that you need to get around very quickly, as I've already said, Sel could save a lot of money by buying a scooter, that's not irrational, it may be uncomfortable. Like I said "Unless we look for ways of drastically reducing our dependancy on fossil fuels we're all going to be up the creek without a paddle" and in any case when you take the price we pay for fuel your criteria is irrelevant. Can you work that logic out or do I have to expand on it?



I think its sure bet that I have pretty clear picture of the state of energy in the world. I’ve been studying it since I was a kid. And I did make a proposal a few years ago to the Discovery Channel to make a documentary on it.

So yeah I get it.

Certainly gaining efficiently is the primary concern. And in the next five years we are going to see an explosion of smaller lighter vehicles.

I’ve even started to design one myself. It will get about 100 mpg and be safer than motor scooters.

It could be produced in China for about $2500 dollars.

But smaller vehicles is not the same as trying to move us to trains from planes. It would actually be less efficient due to the spread out nature of the country.

plus of course there was a recent spate of panic buying in the US when rumours of huge price rises surfaced;)

Ok, much as I hate to say it, :p , this is a valid point. I can vouch that there was big panic in our town when the slightest word 'shortage' was mentioned in the media.

I do get the feeling that the 'fear factor' plays a big part in this.

But smaller vehicles is not the same as trying to move us to trains from planes. It would actually be less efficient due to the spread out nature of the country.

Not if we accept that planes are very detrimental to the environment

If it was only myself, I would invest in a motobike and travel that way. However, I have two children. That wouldn't work for me. I don't think a car seat will fit in side car.

Do they travel with you every day?

If it was only myself, I would invest in a motobike and travel that way. However, I have two children. That wouldn't work for me. I don't think a car seat will fit in side car.

Awesome, it comes with it's own flag too :p

http://www.cavinguk.co.uk/cycling/trips/13_November_2005/normal/TowingTrailer.jpg

Do they travel with you every day?

Yup, I'm a single mum. My kids go where ever I go.

Awesome, it comes with it's own flag too :p

http://www.cavinguk.co.uk/cycling/trips/13_November_2005/normal/TowingTrailer.jpg


Nah, I travel at least 100 miles a day. Between getting the yougin's and work etc.

Not if we accept that planes are very detrimental to the environment
but GE has new engines that help with that

http://www.geae.com/education/theatre/genx/

but GE has new engines that help with that

http://www.geae.com/education/theatre/genx/

Rolls Royce already has them :rolleyes:

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=137955

And for the major US manufacturing industries to move from Oil/Gas to Nuclear power stations.
Naw, the tree hugg'n liberals pretty much shot that one years ago.

Then there was a report recently where fuel prices almost reached $3 per gallon. .. . . . . . . . wow what a catastrophe, if prices in Europe fell to $5 per gallon we'd be over the moon
but that is a BAD comparison.
Say your gas was $4.00 a gallon, a year and half ago, now today it is $8.00 a gallon, that is what the U.S. is going through. Your Big Mac's are about twice ours also, so what, to bad, so sad. But you have national health care, so it's worth it if I basically remember the other posts on that subject. :rolleyes:

Then you need to enforce the laws that make the burning of fossil fuels both more efficient and cleaner, besides which the US has far greater use of the sun for solar energy than we do
Too big to be of much help.
Can't transport the electricty from the sunny areas to the not so sunny areas.

Have you never heard the phrase "size doesn't matter"
Yes it does
What the hell does size have to do with it anyway, there are other bigger countries on the planet that manage without cars?
But are not as advanced, industrurly, and as they progress, their oil usage increases drastically. And those countries have less polution controls than the U.S.
Are the Russians and Chinese stupid? Please stop and think before jumping in with rash statements:rolleyes:
Don't ask if you don't want an answer, your trying to get a response.
Besides, if it bothers you so much, come up with something else that works rather than retoric

From my point of view, the size of the country is somewhat irrelevant. Many people have decided to live miles upon miles away from their workplace in suburbia and then complain that they need to drive too much.
Not really, but true.
If the choice is live in a crime infested neighborhood close to work, or a nice one with good schools farther away. . .

That was the choice I had to make. My old area is crime infested, gang infested, and we got out just in the nick of time. Now I drive longer, but have a better neighborhood and better schools.

Actually there is a glut right now. This is price fixing pure and simple. Get used to it, it only gets worse from here on out.
And you know this how?
Actually one of the reasons is we do not have enough refineries to meet the current demand (just one of many reasons). We have not built a new refinery in this country in over 30 years. A mix of the tree hugg'n liberals and the "not in my back yard" syndrom.

Can't transport the electricty from the sunny areas to the not so sunny areas.
Rubbish, have you never heard of a NationalGrid

Rubbish, have you never heard of a NationalGrid
Yes I have, have you ever heard of transmission line loss?

Yes I have, have you ever heard of transmission line loss?
Yes that's why we transmit at higher voltages than you, don't you also import electricity from Canada for transmission?

And you know this how?
Actually one of the reasons is we do not have enough refineries to meet the current demand (just one of many reasons). We have not built a new refinery in this country in over 30 years. A mix of the tree hugg'n liberals and the "not in my back yard" syndrom.




Wrong again Fofa.

The glut was reported on the Daily Business Report. We have the largest glut in something like 5 years.

And the refinery thing; what a crock of crap.

The reason we haven’t built any new refineries here is that we don’t need to. The ones built over seas were mostly built by offshore companies. You know competitors. The United States has much more excess capacity than it did when we were the suppliers of nearly all of the finished product.

We used food to control the Saudis and then we bitch when they build their own refineries. This is not a liberal issue this is a transfer of wealth issue

Yes that's why we transmit at higher voltages than you, don't you also import electricity from Canada for transmission?

Are you sure about that Rich becasue US long power line are now mostly 1,000,000 volts.

Are you sure about that Rich becasue US long power line are now mostly 1,000,000 volts.
How about your appliances, are they still 110volts?

How about your appliances, are they still 110volts?
No the American Standard is 125 volts. Of course commercial and industrial have entirely different standards.

No the American Standard is 125 volts
Then bring them up to 240/250volts

Wrong again Fofa.
Nope
Google OIL GLUT see if you come up with anything recent.
GOOGLE OIL REFINERY PRODUCTION andd see what comes up.

Humm, 0 for glut, many for refinery production at max and can't keep with demand.

:rolleyes:

Frigg'n liberals

Then bring them up to 240/250volts
Many house hold appliences are 250 volts, its mostly only hand held stuff that's 125.

Plus we have transformers very close the the users so voltage drop is not that costly.

Nope
Google OIL GLUT see if you come up with anything recent.
GOOGLE OIL REFINERY PRODUCTION andd see what comes up.

Humm, 0 for glut, many for refinery production at max and can't keep with demand.

:rolleyes:

Frigg'n liberals
As reported by... Oh yeah the very same people that bring us 3.00 a gallon gas.

As reported by... Oh yeah the very same people that bring us 3.00 a gallon gas.
Gosh you're getting to sound cynical, looks like the British influence is having an effect:eek: :cool:

http://www.opec.org/home/PowerPoint/Taxation/taxation.htm

but that is a BAD comparison.
Say your gas was $4.00 a gallon, a year and half ago, now today it is $8.00 a gallon, that is what the U.S. is going through. Your Big Mac's are about twice ours also, so what, to bad, so sad. But you have national health care, so it's worth it if I basically remember the other posts on that subject. :rolleyes:
We had cheap petrol and an NHS once. Now we have the $8 gallon and an NHS thats falling apart:rolleyes:

There was a thing in the paper about 8 or 9 months ago when we had a big price rise in fuel that said because of the impending Iran situation and the current Iraq situation and the ongoing civil war in Nigeria - the USA stockpiled huge amounts of fuel in case of a worldwide shortage.

Still, as long as the USA motorists are ok - sod the rest of the world eh chaps?:rolleyes: which incidentally seems to be the USA attitude to pollution controls.

Col

Still, as long as the USA motorists are ok - sod the rest of the world eh chaps?:rolleyes: which incidentally seems to be the USA attitude to pollution controls.

Col
You're missing the point here Col, apparently the US is a big country and thus need huge gas guzzlers, inneficient and dirty coal fired power stations, and don't have or can't have any public transport:rolleyes:

You're missing the point here Col, apparently the US is a big country and thus need huge gas guzzlers, inneficient and dirty coal fired power stations, and don't have or can't have any public transport:rolleyes:

We have metros (public transports). And yes Col sod the rest of the world, if it comes down to it.

And yes Col sod the rest of the world, if it comes down to it.

And you wonder why the rest of the world feels the same towards you:rolleyes:

And yes Col sod the rest of the world, if it comes down to it.
That certainly confirms what we percieve as the American attitude:rolleyes:

Col

Do you have any of these in the USA? They are fairly popular here and even the Police use them in Bristol. They're called Smart Cars.

http://class.ee.iastate.edu/rmander/BobAnderson/Photos/2001-09%20Med%20Cruise/Images%20Rome/Rome-10%20Smart%20Car.JPG

I'm Done for a while.

Do you have any of these in the USA? They are fairly popular here and even the Police use them in Bristol. They're called Smart Cars.

errrm what something like this you mean :confused:

http://www.shoptennessee.com/JunkYard/Images/62fordpu/Front.jpg

I'm Done for a while.
Can't take the pace eh?:D have a nap Josie, you'll fell better later

Col

I'm Done for a while.
Nose bleed again ?

Do you have any of these in the USA? They are fairly popular here and even the Police use them in Bristol. They're called Smart Cars.

http://class.ee.iastate.edu/rmander/BobAnderson/Photos/2001-09%20Med%20Cruise/Images%20Rome/Rome-10%20Smart%20Car.JPG

No! It looks too much like a Campbell's Tomato soup can.:D

No! It looks too much like a Campbell's Tomato soup can.:D
Don't worry, when your petrol reaches $8 a gallon - they'll be a familiar sight on US roads.

They do come in different colours

Col

As reported by... Oh yeah the very same people that bring us 3.00 a gallon gas.
Actually I was looking at news releases, brought to you by the liberal press.
So I guess I should have expected you to use misdirection, you have learned well from Rich.

We had cheap petrol and an NHS once. Now we have the $8 gallon and an NHS thats falling apart
NHS = national Health Service?
There was a thing in the paper about 8 or 9 months ago when we had a big price rise in fuel that said because of the impending Iran situation and the current Iraq situation and the ongoing civil war in Nigeria - the USA stockpiled huge amounts of fuel in case of a worldwide shortage.
You know, we hardly hear much about Iran here, just a mention or two casually about their nuke activity. Really hear not much about Nigeria. The US stockpiling fuel, no, the government does stockpile oil so the military always a supply, but it is unrefined.
Still, as long as the USA motorists are ok - sod the rest of the world eh chaps? Which incidentally seems to be the USA attitude to pollution controls.
Well, we do have pollution controls. Could we use more, maybe, don't think it is as bad as you, or the liberals portray. Even Clinton didn't do much in that area, even proposing regulation. Plus we as a nation give enough, why should we give more? Sounds like yall are just greedy. Come on USA, (whine whine) give us more, you so big (whine whine) do this, do that (whine whine). Ho Humm, getting boring. Getting to the attitude of piss off ya bunch of whiners.

Do you have any of these in the USA? They are fairly popular here and even the Police use them in Bristol. They're called Smart Cars.

http://class.ee.iastate.edu/rmander/BobAnderson/Photos/2001-09%20Med%20Cruise/Images%20Rome/Rome-10%20Smart%20Car.JPG
Pretty much looks like a small coffin in an impact with an SUV :eek:

Plus we as a nation give enough, why should we give more?

Because everybody else in the Western world gives as much and if not more than you, that still doesn't give you the right to stick your two fingers up to the rest of the world with this I'm alright Jack crap!
Global warming is happening, maybe it's not man made but if it is to dismiss it the way you're doing is arrogant and criminally negligent:rolleyes:

Because everybody else in the Western world gives as much and if not more than you
Don't think so

Don't think so
Yes they do, especially the Japanese and Germans :p

That still doesn't give you the right to stick your two fingers up to the rest of the world with this I'm alright Jack crap!
Sure does, and you want to know the best part, doesn't matter what YOU say about it.

Sure does, and you want to know the best part, doesn't matter what YOU say about it.

Really, ask your President what happened when he thought he could hold the World to ransom over steel imports:rolleyes:

Yes they do, especially the Japanese and Germans :p
Sorry to burst your bubble:

You left off the bit that shows the percentage of donations vs. GDP which quite cleary shows the US as near the bottom of the list with the UK at nearly double yours:cool: :p

You left off the bit that shows the percentage of donations vs. GDP which quite cleary shows the US as near the bottom of the list with the UK at nearly double yours:cool: :p
Because it is total dollars that matter. When we had the talk earlier about emmisions, you not allow it to be broken up, remember, only taken as a whole. So following YOUR lead, we are taking it as a whole.

Because it is total dollars that matter. When we had the talk earlier about emmisions, you not allow it to be broken up, remember, only taken as a whole. So following YOUR lead, we are taking it as a whole.
The emmisions figures were broken up, the US accounts for 25% of the pollution on the planet, now what's your point?

You could stop invading and destroying oil supplying countries, especially when they are no threat. That causes shortages then the whole world pays for your leaders ego boosting trip.:rolleyes:

GWB only has to mention Iran and the price per barrel shoots up and we pay at the pumps. The high prices we all pay is largely thanks to the USA and the incompetent way it conducts foreign policy. World peace keeper? thats a joke:rolleyes:

Col
Col, your above post sums up this whole thread. It something that people forget or don't want to hear about that Bush is responsible for the high cost of gas today. If US troops left Iraq and Bush was sacked and US foreign policy was rational then you would see a drop in gas (oil) prices overnight. We musn't let ourselves forget this.
Anyhow it was fun reading all the posts in this thread.
I'm going to stick around for a while because this seems like the best forum I have come across especially with the easy to use vBulletin.

Do you have any of these in the USA? They are fairly popular here and even the Police use them in Bristol. They're called Smart Cars.

http://class.ee.iastate.edu/rmander/BobAnderson/Photos/2001-09%20Med%20Cruise/Images%20Rome/Rome-10%20Smart%20Car.JPG

Col:

What kind of car is that? I want one! I'd also like to get my hands on an old Isetta...

http://www.isettatech.com/Jerry%20Zabin%20With%20250.jpg

Hi Friday good to see you posting. How are things?, I remember your post regarding your illness towards the end of 2005. Hope everything is ok .

Those Smart cars are used by some Pizza delivery firms in Liverpool.

Brian

Why are they called Smart? :confused: ;)

Why are they called Smart? :confused: ;)

from the Smart Car website

The smart car (Swatch Mercedes Art) is the brainchild of Nicolas Hayek, perhaps better known as CEO of Swatch, the watch company. Hayek's dream was the Swatchmobile, which would do for the small car what he had done for the watch, producing a car that would be fun, cheap and simple yet environmentally sound, with electric or hybrid power.
Hayek initially teamed with Volkswagen in 1991, but the project was cancelled with adverse market research and a change of management at VW. Mercedes then stepped in as a partner and Micro Compact Car (MCC) was formed in 1994 as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and SMH (the maker of Swatch watches). In 1998, Swatch pulled out and MCC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, now DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.

The smart car launched in October 1998 is a 2-seater, 2.5m long by 1.5m wide - small enough that two or even three cars can squeeze into a standard parking space. The incorporation of the hybrid SwatchMobil system had proved problematic, so the car debuted with a conventional engine. It was also not as inexpensive as originally conceived, priced on a par with small 4-seaters.

Initial reception was lukewarm, and sales were well down on prediction (20,000 were sold in 1998 in contrast to the 200,000 predicted by Hayek) but it was a great success in traffic-strangled cities like Paris and Rome, and sales reached 80,000 the following year. The project, constantly at risk, has been expensive, with breakeven forecast for 2004. Nonetheless, it has achieved iconic status, with an exhibit at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art).

The smart car is built at a factory complex called smartville, located at Hambach in Lorraine, France. Completed in October 1997, it is one of the most modern plants in the world. The car is designed to be highly modular, with modules / parts attached to a rigid integral "tridion" body frame. Design for assembly has received particular attention.

They seem to be more and more popular now

Col

Oil companies are raking in record profits; they still get government handouts for exploration and who knows what else and the price at the pump has doubled in a few short years.




Another mile stone in Oil prices. West Texas intermediate came to an incredable $ 77/barrel, Brent North Sea $76 / barrel and we ( Dutch) pay now some € 1.46 / liter gasoline.

Who are we now going to boycott ? :(

Oil companies are raking in record profits; they still get government handouts for exploration and who knows what else and the price at the pump has doubled in a few short years.
Another mile stone in Oil prices. West Texas intermediate came to an incredable $ 77/barrel, Brent North Sea $76 / barrel and we ( Dutch) pay now some € 1.46 / liter gasoline.
Who are we now going to boycott ? :(
Yee Haa! Keep it up! Sure don't remember all this crying over oil proces in the 80's when we was suffering, tak'n cuts in pay, etc. $80 is just around the corner. I just bought a Motorcycle to cut my gas expense, but my company is doing really good, as is my 401K and profit sharing!
:D

I just bought a Motorcycle to cut my gas expense,
You won't save much on fuel with a Guzzi:eek:

I just bought a Motorcycle to cut my gas expense,


My wife is considering buying a Toyota Prius, that's one of these hybrid cars :
gasoline mixed with electric motor drive/generator. They say these run some
25 km on one liter gasoline.


but my company is doing really good, as is my 401K and profit sharing!


Since I'm working with an Oil company , I can't complain either, but 401K ....
Would that be your monthly salary in swiss francs or what ? :eek:

You won't save much on fuel with a Guzzi:eek:
I don't know, 45MPG is much better than the 17MPG in my truck. It is all a matter of perspective.

My wife is considering buying a Toyota Prius, that's one of these hybrid cars :
gasoline mixed with electric motor drive/generator. They say these run some
25 km on one liter gasoline.
Yeah, but it is still a car!

Since I'm working with an Oil company , I can't complain either, but 401K ....
Would that be your monthly salary in swiss francs or what ? :eek:
401K is a retirement plan (savings account) with special laws regarding how it is taxed, how much you can put in, etc. by the Gov.

Yeah, but it is still a car!


Sure, but the wife doesn't like bikes :rolleyes:

What about getting a motorbike on hydrogen :
http://www.usatoday.com/money/2005-06-14-hydro-cycle-usat_x.htm

401K is a retirement plan (savings account) with special laws regarding how it is taxed, how much you can put in, etc. by the Gov.

Oh... didn't know that, but found it :
http://retireplan.about.com/cs/401k/a/401k.htm
Looks like that your company is deciding on what funds they will invest in with your capital.
Over here, we have the same sort of plan, but the way/type of investment is left with the employer and not the company you work for.

From the thread's beginning; you're right Pat in that oil companies can set such ridiculous profit margins and basically demand, in the way the prices are set for us all, these profits remain super high...

Just last quarter BP Castrol reported a net profit in excess of $660m. That's obnoxious considering the mid west US paid $3+ per gallon, West coast paid $4+, East cost paid $4+, Europe paid an average of $6+ per gallon...

So, I for one will be very happy to pay to have my car converted to use the proposed corn oil substitute. This should happen quickly but won't because of all those billions lost in oil exploration, supposed research, the Middle East strangle hold on oil for the world, ...POLITICS!!!

Wouldn't it be great if an oil company had a sudden attack of conscience and began mass production of a corn oil substitute...they most likely have had and use themselves...but quite, it's just in the testing phase...shhhh....

Looks like that your company is deciding on what funds they will invest in with your capital.
Over here, we have the same sort of plan, but the way/type of investment is left with the employer and not the company you work for.
Actually, they do supply certain funds but we choose to which ones, AND we can move funds around to ones they don't support after the fact.

Finally, gas prices are getting lower out here;

9/4 - Unleaded was $2.89
9/11 - Unleaded was $2.79
9/18 - Unleaded was $2.59
9/25 - Unleaded was $2.39

Best = $2.31 Thornton; NE Denver Metro

I don't see the price going anywhere but up. One thing you can do is to make your vehicle as efficent as possible. Check out Http://www.fuelboosterau.myffi.biz This stuff works!

I don't see the price going anywhere but up. One thing you can do is to make your vehicle as efficent as possible. Check out Http://www.fuelboosterau.myffi.biz This stuff works!

Blatant Spam or concerned forum member? :D

Blatant Spam or concerned forum member? :D

Well, with only one post my inclination would be spammer.