Idiotic idea. This would just guarantee that there would be serious shortages. Suppose you're a gas producer and your production costs are $2/gal and the fedgov puts a cap on it at $2.50; however, China pays $3.00 what will you do? Sell to China of course.
"Can't there be a federa cap on gas prices?
Idiotic idea. This would just guarantee that there would be serious shortages. Suppose you're a gas producer and your production costs are $2/gal and the fedgov puts a cap on it at $2.50; however, China pays $3.00 what will you do? Sell to China of course"
Not so idiotic in theory. Once an "affordable" price was determined (say $2.50 for regular), then a Price Management and Distribution Bureau could be set up under the Dept. of Energy. It's job would be.
a. Make sure gas prices are not raised above the cap.
b. Establish octane standards to make sure evasion of price caps does not occur.
c. Establish a number of distribution bureaus in each state to make sure that "market information" is maintained, so that no location is running short of gasoline, thus maintaining an even supply and easing any "gas lines" and spot shortages that might otherwise occur.
For example, the state of Pennsylvania might have a bureau in the northeast (Poconos); southeast (Philly area); south central (Harrisburg, Lancaster); southwest (Pittsburgh); and northwest (Erie). Each bureau would keep track of gasoline supplies in its area to maintain an adequate supply.
Thanks for insulting me and informing me all in one post.