The rise in gas prices is directly linked to two things: 1) seasonal changes at refineries, and 2) rising oil prices due to the weakness of the U.S. dollar. It's really that simple.
Prices rose around 20 cents just last night...around $3.15 in Indiana.
And, there have been significant problems at the refineries (e.g., shutdowns/stoppages).
Supply issues (whether accidental stoppages or convenient stoppages), the higher prices (due to stoppages) are occurring when the ppb is $10-$11 lower than it was when prices were high.
Frankly, I’m getting a little tired of $3.05/gallon.
The solution is really simple (though not “easy”):
1. Open up ANWR and the Gulf to effect the per barrel cost. Some studies show the mere commitment to do so would immediately reduce prices to stem off the planning for exploration to occur. Right now, for an investor, the ROI completely supports building new (assuming we were allowed to do this). Existing crude providers would suppliers would cut the prices so that cost justifications would prohibit 1 shovel from going into the ground
2. Tell every hippy to “Go F!” themselves, starting with alwhore. Build more refineries and distributions points with the same enthusiasm that we’re passing condoms out to 8 year olds and the equilibrium price for gas (at the pump) would be more than affordable. In the meantime, this would have a positive impact on business, which is the oft-overlooked component of this discussion (”stuff” is delivered by trucks).
You know, maybe it’s not a good idea to choke our market economy by cowtowing to hippy riff-raff.
Maybe their is a way for us to fuel our cars on cut-off hippy hair? Maybe we should be exploring that?