Topic: Gas

Simple measures could make big difference in gas consumption

April 14, 2008 |

Gasoline prices have hit a record high, which has prompted a public outcry for the government to “do something.” Federal and state officials can do much to reduce gasoline consumption, and in turn, the price of gas, by implementing existing regulations and enforcing laws already on the books.

The key to success is to work with, rather than against, motorists. With this in mind, there are several opportunities to reduce gasoline consumption, without resorting to rationing schemes or heavy-handed price controls:

• Synchronize Traffic Signals - In 2003, the City of San Jose, California started to coordinate its traffic light system. By altering the timing on just a third of the city’s stoplights, traffic delays were reduced 33 percent and average travel time was reduced 16 percent. The city also estimated that this project significantly reduced fuel usage - saving approximately 471,000 gallons of gasoline each year.

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Gas prices: Consumers driving the pain

By James Butler | March 26, 2008 |

As of March 24 2008 the cheapest listed price of gasoline available in Clarksville was $3.08 per gallon for regular grade unleaded (courtesy of TennesseeGasPrices.com) with the indication that, for at least the moment, prices can be expected to remain stable. With the price of oil estimated at approximately $101 per barrel at the current moment, one gallon of gasoline costs approximately $2.61 to produce (figures courtesy of Bloomberg MarketData), meaning that there is a 15.26% profit margin being split amongst the relevant parties (and here we thought they were out to get us with unfair profit margins). Unfortunately for the rest of us, prices are likely to continue to increase for the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons which producers are largely powerless to stop. «Read the rest of this article»

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America raped and pillaged, while we are sleeping

By Beth Robinson | July 10, 2006 |

There have been many monumental defeats for our air, water and land recently. Most polls show that Americans are pro-environment. Instead of finding cleaner forms of energy or trying to reduce our gluttonous use, we allow our land and oceans to be handed over to the care of corporations.

I hate how they give such handsome names to these sinister laws. Who would guess that the ‘Clear Skies Act’ allows companies to increase pollution? It lessens the standards in the Clean Air Act passed over 30 years ago. «Read the rest of this article»

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