1627 Talk to the Democrats about high gasoline prices
Elvis was still alive the last time the United States built a new oil refinery (1976), according to the Wall Street Journal ("Agony and Energy," on-line for subscribers). That was probably the last time the Democrats had something creative to offer. The energy bill that recently passed in the House did not have a single Democratic vote. So if you want to complain about high gasoline and heating costs this fall, please contact your anti-energy Congressperson, who is apparently a Democrat. Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005 was a squeaker October 7 in a vote of 212-210."Don't go home and tell your constituents you did anything for them. In truth, you haven't," said Rep. James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) "When they ask you, `What did you do to lower the prices of gas and home hearting oil,' you can say, honestly, you did nothing."
Here’s what the bill will do.
1) gives the government the authority to use closed military bases as possible refinery sites.
2) lets governors request the Department of Energy coordinate the permitting process.
3) reduces the number of “boutique” fuels from 17 to 6.
4) allows more time to cities to petition to meet costly ozone standards (2010)
The Democrats, playing their one string guitar, say it doesn’t address the cost of natural gas and it gives too many benefits to the profit-rich oil barons and special favors to business interests. Same old, same old.
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3 comments:
I'm afraid partisan politics is going to delay tackling the real issues of the shortages of fuel, refineries, and gas costs. All of this is extrememly timely, and while we are waiting it out, get out the bicycle.
A relevant issue that I consider is the imbalance of 'users' of petroleum fuels. Surely we all know that the American economy is run on petroleum (people getting to work, for one), and we also know that our standard of living is extremely high, compared to other parts of the world. I feel rectifying this imbalance is one of the goals of a mature humanity. After all, we really don't need to keep upgrading, while poorer nations are attempting to modernize. Can we slow down a little, to balance this out? Seems like it's being forced on us, whether we like it or not.
In a few years, maybe 5 or 6, the Chinese consumers will probably be using more than Americans, even if they are only at the consumption style we were 40 years ago.
I don't like nuclear plants or wind mill farms, but I do enjoy my energy using appliances, like computer, TV, etc.
A few years back when we were traveling to Illinois, we noticed gasoline prices were higher in the Chicago area than anywhere else. Here's a list of the reasons. http://www.cato.org/testimony/ct-jt070600.html. Reformulations requirements vary from state to state and a pipeline was down in Illinois and added costs due to environmental standards were two of the reasons. Take a look. Things haven't changed much, but collusion isn't a big factor.
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