gas and diesel prices

[Tractorat]

Well,

Diesel and gas are just at about $3 now here in Seattle. Oil is at $65 a barrel. However, there seems to be plenty of gas and oil. Does anyone really believe that the price is high because of any shortage ? They're realized that no matter what the price is, we'll pay it anyway and we cant do anything about it.



What I really dont understand is why Seattle has the 3rd highest price for gas/diesel in the US. We get our oil from Alaska. Our oil price should be less than $40/bl, and thus gas and diesel should be way below $1. 50.



Ive always been a proponant of drilling oil in ANWR. But, if we still have to pay the same price as gas and oil from the mid east, its just not worth it.



Im pretty conservative. But, at this point, Im wildly in favor of nationalizing the oil industry. At least when we get screwed then, the profits can pay for roads, health care, the military, etc.



Thanks for letting me vent.



Tractorat

 

[sewman]

There's only so much in the ground & w/all the gas guzzlers that alot of people like to drive we probably end up using 2x the amount of gas in the country that we should. NOW if we didn't use so much there might be a glut created & then the price might come down. Like if everyone had a vehicle that got at least 25+ mpg that would drop the consumption by 1/2.

That's my story & I'm stickin' to it.

Bob

 

[Sled Dog]

There's only so much in the ground & w/all the gas guzzlers that alot of people like to drive we probably end up using 2x the amount of gas in the country that we should. NOW if we didn't use so much there might be a glut created & then the price might come down. Like if everyone had a vehicle that got at least 25+ mpg that would drop the consumption by 1/2.

That's my story & I'm stickin' to it.

Bob

No the price would not come down. They would just sell the excess to China.

The price is up, and there gonna keep it there, just as long as we can stand it. IMHO

 

[Grizzly]

All of us need to cut down on our driving and we need to drive far more economical cars to do our commuting to and from work, school and shopping.

 

[Dale Reed]

1) Drive less.



2) Benefit from the high fuel prices by buying lots of oil company stocks then sell them at a profit when you want to buy some fuel for your truck.



3) Drive slower.



4) Fuel prices have been higher in the past and will be higher in the future so enjoy their temporary low.



5) Convince Dodge, and the other truck manufacturers, that you are more interested in miles/gallon than increasing horsepower and torque.



6) In a free market the customer determines the price.



7) I am *not* a conservative. I am a libertarian and think that even talking about nationalization and more government interference in the marketplace will result in lower quality and more expensive products and services.



Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.

Will Rogers, humorist



$ -- email address removed -- Seattle, Washington USA $

 

[sarj]

Texas oilmen like the price of oil high... the higher the better. Capitalism at it's finest.

 

[RustyJC]

Texas oilmen like the price of oil high... the higher the better. Capitalism at it's finest.

If you believe that, why didn't the Texas oilmen raise the price of oil when it was $10/bbl and natural gas was $0. 70/mmbtu back in the 1990s? Oil field related businesses were closing left and right, and the industry lost a lot of talented individuals who are sorely missed today.



Like corn, beef, soybeans and gold, crude oil is a commodity where the market sets the price. It's traded, among other places, on the New York Merchantile Exchange (NYMEX) along with key refined products - take a look HERE for current prices. #2 diesel is shown as home heating oil - without road taxes.



Rusty

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I parked my fiver in a covered spot near a river so I don't have to tow it. Now my wife and I carpool to work so I'm about to have one low mileage truck (she drives her Montero since it's easier to park). Actually, I'm spending less on fuel than I was 2 years ago. I was going to buy a boat, which would get about 4 mpg, but opted for a canoe instead. It's amazing how much scenery you see when you're not passing it at 50 MPH!! My personal rebellion. Not a big thing at all for the oil companies, but if 1,000,000 people made similar cuts, somebody would eventually hurt, either excess fuel or sliding profits. Excuse me while I go hug a tree :-laf

 

[BILLYGEE]

Believe 1/2 what you see, nada what you hear...

And don't believe a frickin thing the government or the oil experts and industry tells you. Politicians have a nack of putting a bunch of fancy words on an answer that it comes all out bs(crap in crap out). At the same time the oil lobbyists are setting them up w/freebies and perks while the good old consumer and taxpayer takes it up the wazoo. The government in this country is our worst enemy, not Iran,North Korea, China, all the Muslims and others that hate us... it's because of our government's actions that they feel that way. Like they say. Don't steal... the government hates the competition! :{ :{ :{

 

[Tractorat]

gas and oil

Your kidding, right ?

The argement of "only so much oil in the ground" was used last year, the year before, etc. There is plenty of oil. If there wasnt, there would be oil shortages. And, the last time I looked, no one is complaining about not having enought oil. Gas is almost twice what it was last year. The oil companies found out that they could raise the price, and there is nothing we can do about it. Their profits are HUGE. It will stop going up when people are making the choice between eating, housing, medicine, and driving their cars. Maybe not even then. Its coming. And its not very far away.



It used to be (a long long time ago) that driving was a luxury. In todays world, it is a neccesity. Gas (and diesel) are just as important to the average americans life a water and air.



Something is going to happen. I dont know when or what, but there are dire consequences on the horizon.

 

[BILLYGEE]

What about fuel efficient vehicles?

And furthermore how come the government nails us diesel owners an extra 6 cents fuel tax to discourage diesels while the vehicles in Europe are 40% DIESELS? And isn't it funny that we suddenly got away from pushing solar and other alternate energy sources... Why because the oil industry won't be happy till they suck the consumer dry.

I see us 10 years from now... You'll have to move to China to get a job, afford to drive a vehicle, etc. Big money and oil are giving the country to the third world while the apathetic Americans sit by and let their so-called government sell us out. I'll bet that all the participants at the Boston Tea Party and the framers of the Constitution are rolling over in their graves as to what we've let ourselves become... Please God, Bless and help America!



Did somebody light a fire under my backside? :-{}

 

[RustyJC]

The oil companies found out that they could raise the price, and there is nothing we can do about it.

I repeat my question:

Why didn't the Texas oilmen raise the price of oil when it was $10/bbl and natural gas was $0. 70/mmbtu back in the 1990s? Oil field related businesses were closing left and right, and the industry lost a lot of talented individuals who are sorely missed today.

Rusty

 

[Heavyweight]

Your comparison has no bearing on what is going on "TODAY"!!!! Do not act like an expert without 100% of the facts. The operative word is, 100%... You think, You heard, You read, all mean nothing without all the facts. They are making record profit's, and Bush boy's new energy plan is going to further aid the oil industry.

Oh, you sit on the board of Exxon. Is your long time friend an oil lobbyist that helped tailor the energy bill? I am just curious, because you are so quick to defend the weak and down trodden oil companies.

 

[GBlaksley]

And don't forget who makes the most profit on a gallon of gas (or diesel).



It is the state and local government, and they never touch the product.

 

[RustyJC]

Your comparison has no bearing on what is going on "TODAY"!!!! Do not act like an expert without 100% of the facts. The operative word is, 100%... You think, You heard, You read, all mean nothing without all the facts. They are making record profit's, and Bush boy's new energy plan is going to further aid the oil industry.

Oh, you sit on the board of Exxon. Is your long time friend an oil lobbyist that helped tailor the energy bill? I am just curious, because you are so quick to defend the weak and down trodden oil companies.

No, my only qualification to speak on this subject is that I've literally lived all my life (57-1/2 years) in the oil business. I've been through the ups and the downs, and I do know how it works. Now, your qualifications are... ... :-laf



Rusty

 

[nps]

It's called a commodity market, and the market sets the price.



The rest of the world was paying $4-$5 per gallon when we were at $1-$1. 50. Now they are paying $7-$8 per gallon because the commodity price of crude has gone up.



Why is crude going up? Don't know. But I don't think the US government has much to do about the retail price of fuel in France.

 

[Heavyweight]

What about the High quality additive "MTBE"! This promotes whom, and does what?Bush extended this toxic chemical for how many more years? There is a cost involved with MTBE and it hits the pocket book, and the endocrine system. This is not entirely the Oil companies fault, more then the tree huggers, but there is a % added to the cost of fuel. Bush knows this, but elects to do nothing about it. Still, the energy bill is "BIG OIL" friendly...

 

[RustyJC]

What about the High quality additive "MTBE"! This promotes whom, and does what?

MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is an oxygenate that was added to gasoline under pressure from the EPA and environmentalists to lower emissions. You can expect gasoline prices to go higher as the refusal of the government to deal with the MTBE issue is going to result in shutdowns of MTBE production facilities. Now, you're left with non-conforming fuels or the addition of ethanol, which is more expensive and less effective than MTBE as an oxygenating agent. Your choice - which do you prefer?



Rusty

 

[Tractorat]

gas and oil

Well,

If you are in the oil industry (and defend it), then I would submit that you are probably someone from the dark side. Empolyees of large companies quite often defend the company because it is in their best interest. Or because they think it makes them appear to be knowledgeable. The employees at Enron would have defended Enron right up to the bitter end. Even though Enron was taking advantage of circumstances, manipulating the market, lying, literally stealing money from its customers (myself, little old ladies, etc).



At one time, big oil "may" have been responsible to its customers. But now, especially that they are multinational, they dont care what they do to the citizens of this country. Only profits count. It is now at a point where it even threatens national security.



BTW, how is it that we are paying $65/brl on the west coast now ? Our oil comes from Alaska (it was supposed to be for us, but I think BP owns it now) That oil should be $40 or less



(now even my blood is boiling)



Tractorat

 

[Heavyweight]

None... Bush who is big oil,,, loves MTBE, because he is more then likely in debt to another chemical lobbyist. Who profits from the production of "MTBE". Probably an oil company, or some subsidiary. The good ol'boy network at it's finest. I am not on the take, and do not subscribe to big corporation news letters. I know greed, and that is one product the Unites States has a monopoly on.