Explanation for High Fuel Prices

[BradyWilliams]

I think that we should put our farm sector to work raising Bio Fuel. We are right now paying farmers not to grow crops on their land. One thing I now about farmers is they do know how to get it done. Congress needs to have the foresight to get farmers growing fuel. I personaly would rather give my money to our farmers than Big oil. The big oil guys know where this is headed, they are buying farms. Congress needs to do something about big oil using their profits to control an industry that we are fortunate to have in this country. I do believe that big oil has been guilty of price fixing. They dance along the edge of it and our congress looks the other way. I don't like alot of the agendas that the tree hugging groups are pushing. I can't believe that such a small group gets so much power with our congress and president. We need to pool together and everyone send some money to pay lobbyists to push our agendas. That may be the only way to turn this whole thing around. Big oil pays money to politicians, tree huggers pay lawyers and lobbyists. We need to some how take our country back. PS I do respect oil companies like Sinclair and the Canadiens for trying to do their thing at home. Thanks

 

[NStates]

It is interesting how we jump on a ceo who builds a corporation and makes money for the stockholders, yet, we do not even blink an eye at the sports figure who makes big money by just running up and down a field or court to entertain us.



Norm



My Truck – 2005 RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x2 Laramie Sport Bright White 6-Speed HO – Limited Slip - Edge Juice Attitude –PacBrake – 65 gal. Toolbox/fuel tank – Starboards – Recon Smoke Cab Lighting - Pulrite Super 5th – Kenwood TM 261 –Towing A Teton Fifth Wheel

 

[WilsonJ]

There are alot of reasons why the prices are so high. One, there aren't enough refineries to produce gas or diesel. Hell, they aint built a new one since the 70s. 2- Nobody wants a refinery in their backyard. The same goes for powerplants. The people on the pacific coast don't want drilling rigs blocking their view of the sunset, even though the rigs are about 30 or more miles off the coast. 3- Part of the reason diesel is so high is the demand for it within the trucking industry and the people who bought diesel trucks when the price was cheaper than gas. 4- The refiners have to keep up with govt. regs for gas/diesel. It costs alot in man & machinery to retrofit the refineries with the equip. to make the new low-sulpher fuel. 5- supply is high for crude. China is starting to compete with the US for crude supplies. Canada does have alot of oil reserves in the tar sands, but it's not easy getting it out and they aren't going to eat the loss. 6- Price manipulation does play a role in prices. OPEC, big oil, and suppliers all want the price per barrel to be high. Finally, if people would conserve a little bit, it would help the price a little. You don't have to ration it out, just be smart when driving around town and not make trips for something that can wait. I don't know it all but do have experience working for oil companies at their refineries. I know what they're saying and about what it costs to upgrade one of these places. Gas should be coming down in the future. There are alot of ethanol plants in various stages of building. When they all get going, gas should fall and so should the demand for crude. Just my opinion.

 

[PSchwering]

Not to call the kettle black(I am as guilty as everyone else) But one of the biggest problems, that nobody talks about is the demand side of the equation. Picture this. You own a company that makes Widgets. Everybody has to have a few widgets a week to get by. Now, at some point, you realize that the higher the price of your widgets, the more of them people will buy, what are you going to do? Your darn right, you are going keep raising the price. More money in your pocket. Nothing wrong with that. This is exactly what happens with our fuel. They raise the price, we buy more. IF when the price jumped 20 cents, we quit buying fuel, the price would drop back down immediatly. The last time the price jumped 20 cents? last week. and the stations were sitting as full as ever.

The solution? Get serious about conserving fuel. there are several ways we can do this. we can Get more efficient cars, we can slow down, we can drive less, we can use public transportation(where available) or, the biggest saver in my opinion is to carpool. None of these are fun or exciting, but I would Bet, if the US public would completly embrace just one of these options, fuel demand would drop, & the price would drop.



Like I stated in the begining, I am as guilty of this as anyone. I don't want to slow down, carpool, or buy a smaller car(Pontiac grand prix for daily driver) But I will, because it is all I can do to help lower the price. It is the only control WE have over the Supply/Demand equation.



I am stepping off the soapbox... ..... P

 

[SRunion]

What amazes me is the price we pay for bottled water! We pay more for water than we do gas & fuel, but nobody thinks paying $4 a gal for water in small convient 20 oz bottles is greedy

 

[RDHamill]

That water is free, but you have to pay $4 for the truck's fuel to get it to the store LOL LOL

 

[RDHamill]

You can get a credit card that offers 3% off your monthly fuel bill, small but it all helps.

 

[jhnbrll]

I have heard of the oil companies buying the patents on alternative fuel vehicles, such as vehicles that run on hydro. Buy your competion.

 

[DonTX]

You can get a credit card that offers 3% off your monthly fuel bill, small but it all helps.

Better yet, mine (Citi Card) gives me 5% off on fuel (and other things as well) That is like a discount of 15 cents per gallon, yet most don't even bother. For me, it is the ONLY way I pay for gas and diesel, you would be surprised how much that comes to at the end of a year. !

 

[FLynes]

It is interesting how we jump on a ceo who builds a corporation and makes money for the stockholders, yet, we do not even blink an eye at the sports figure who makes big money by just running up and down a field or court to entertain us.

Norm

Norm, I stopped watching sports, because of the greed exhibited by those uneducated donkeys we call athletes. Maybe I'll just convert the truck over to running on vegetable oil and hit up the local Chinese restaurants... .





Frederic

 

[gambler]

You're right!!

 

[john3976]

I believe you spelled that word wrong, it's actually spelled JEALOUSY!



It could also be spelled CAPITALISM!



But I guess greed works for the un-informed. If this guy would have ran a computer company, or one that made cheese no one would have even thought about it. But since he worked for a company that he helped make very successful which just happens to refine oil it's a big deal only because it effects you. Amazing!



The real "Explanation for High Fuel Prices" is supply and demand, look it up!

Chrysler does not agree with you Big Oil Koolaid Drinkers:



Despite a documented history of blowing their exorbitant profits on outlandish executive salaries and stock buybacks, and hoarding their bounty by avoiding technologies, policies and legislation that would protect the population and environment and lower fuel costs, Big Oil insists on transferring all of that responsibility on the auto companies.



— Jason Vines, Chrysler PR

 

[MCummings]

I think one problem we have with fuel prices, and Big Oil has figured us out. We won't slow our driving, or try to drive more efficiently with the price of fuel increasing. It's not the American way!.



Fuel is over $3. 00 here now, Diesel at $2. 80, and I still get blown away at stop lights and just cruising down the highway. I see 18 wheelers dam near drag racing from every other stop light, and Old Junker trucks WOT untill they get to 10mph over the speed limit.



WTF?



I think general public is ****** they had prices raised on them, but I think Big Oil figured out that we won't adjust our driving habits... (Not my problem? attitude?)





Sometimes I drive for my enjoyment, and I pay for it at the gas station, I've always understood that. othertimes when driving with the family, I take it nice and easy. My truck gets 15MPG+ IN TOWN taking it easy, and 20mpg on the highway... I have to have a truck not only because of personal preference... When I'm driving aggresive in my truck, I can easily get less than 8MPG... That's what happens when you are running 60+PSI Boost and over 640 crank HP...



I understand your driving style affects my MPG and how much fuel I use. I adjust my driving accordingly, but I don't complain when hot rodding my truck.



If general America really cared about fuel prices, we would all be slowed down,, but that's not the American Way... Of course, we can ask for help from Government and they can drop the MPH down to 55 again. . and tax the shiznit out of fuel... then Big Oil could only charge a little for fuel, but Americans would still be paying for it... .





My $. 02. .



Merrick

 

[Huskerman]

With the paranoid delusional "Big Oil is out to screw us" rant that this thread has taken I am surprised that nobody has posted about the 100 mpg carb conspiracy theory.



I think it's hilarious that some of the folks complaning about "Big Oil" and fuel prices have their trucks chipped so that they can get 500+ HP. Me, I would still be happy with the 175 hp 12 valve that got 21 city!!! Too bad Joe Sixpack is too redneck to drive a truck with only 175 hp so now Dodge makes one with 325 but 1/4 less mpg.



Huskerman

 

[FATCAT]

... Of course, we can ask for help from Government and they can drop the MPH down to 55 again. .

My $. 02. .



Merrick

Bite your tounge! The 55 mph limit was a huge money maker for the Highway patrol and local police/towns.

 

[RGardner]

Don/Tx does your card have an annual limit on how much they will rebate?

 

[DonTX]

Yes, $300 rebate limit per calendar year PER CARD! My cousin has 5 cards since he buys a lot with the dividend cards. That would be 2000 gallons of fuel per card if my math is correct, several fill ups per card per year anyway. .

 

[DonTX]

Wow, I should do more checking. Go to this link, there are cards that pay all kinds of percentages back, up to 10 per cent! Go here to see them: http://www.creditcardguide.com/gascards.html

 

[Cattletrkr]

My dad has a Sinclair card that he uses whenever he can. The discount increases as the price of fuel increases, but it's weighted in the buyers favor as the price goes higher. It's not just a straight percentage, the percentage goes up as fuel goes up. Right now I think it may be capped at $0. 14/gal. That's a pretty good discount. Comes off right at the cashier, no waiting for a refund.



My normal business doesn't take me past any Sinclair's so I don't have one. I'm pretty sure there is an annual fee, but it's easily made up.



I bought a bigger trailer and lucked out. I get the same mileage pulling 15-20% more. Eliminated a load a week. That alone is almost making the trailer payment. I probably shouldn't mention that the extra weight is probably gonna shorten my trucks useful life and increase repair costs...



I am currently running B20. It's not THE answer, but it will certainly help.



I buy Mobile fuel. I don't like Exxon Mobile, but the only other option is Cenex. Good fuel, but they're no different. Besides, the Mobile guy is an INDEPENDENT reseller and is a pretty good guy. I look at it as giving him my business, not Mobile. Kinda splitting hairs, but it works. He's also a huge supporter of Biodiesel, running B20-25 in his own rigs.

 

[Mundgyver]

This is an interesting site. Just plug in a zip code and see what the fuel prices are.



http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx



Have fun with the agony