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So the answer to the question, "Americans would like to pay less at the pump. But what would that take? is building more refineries to increase the supply of gasoline in the US which will offset demand sufficiently to cause gasoline prices to decline. Unless and until you build more refineries to increase the supply of gasoline, the constantly increasing number of drivers and miles driven annually will constantly cause the price of gasoline to rise.
You are a bit out of date -- about 2 years worth.
US driving peaked in 2008.
Probably something about US having less jobs to go to since then.
Some interesting graphs on the relationship of miles driven compared to prices >>>
A bit out of date on the refinery info, too. Three Refineries have been shut in the US due to reduced demand, and one major one canceled in Canada. Again -- Due to Reduced Demand -- not mythical "Red Tape," nor Environmental Concerns, nor Taxes, nor Regulation -- Just Reduced Demand.
We are still doing retros and rebuilds to existing refineries because the cash flow is going again with the higher market prices, and could expand production as part of the annual rebuilds / outages, but again, with demand weak there is not a market for more.
Demand is the reason for the higher prices. Now that's funny.
I don't know why that's funny. US demand is creeping up. Demand in places like China and India is going up a lot. Oil demand isn't just about US demand any more, as it was in the past.
You can find many articles on both sides of the argument. The facts are probably somewhere in between. Shortage or not, the oil companies are still over-charging to maintain their huge profits while sticking it to their dealers
and customers.
Over charging? It cost millions of dollars to drill oil wells and refine it into gasoline. Meanwhile, you are buying a bottle of water for $1.00!!! Thats $6.4 a gallon. That $hit falls from the sky for God's sake. People need to wake up, oil is cheap, thats why we use it.
I've always felt that much of America as a society, both its people, politicians and auto makers want to keep us in our cars in this country. I lived thru the gas rationing that this country had twice in the 1970's. When we waited in the mile long lines to get gas. Then the rationing came when you could only get gas on even or number days depending on your license plate number. Gas stations closed on Sundays, 55MPH speed limits on Fwys. It was very difficult times for so many of us. However there are some of us that did learn from those times but not enough of us.
Bring it on again. Because it seems the only way many Americans even remotely deal with reality, is when reality takes its toll. Sad to say but it seems so.
We are not the only ones on earth that need oil. There is a certain percentage of Americans that are very selfish on this subject. The people that live in large Metros, People that could at times leave their cars in their driveways, and take a bus or walk but will not. The large cities in populated states that refuse to deal with the necessity of some semblence of transit in their regions. Hear that Florida your high on my list of the most selfish and arrogant populated states in America.
There is no crime in having efficient transit in America's cities yet so few have it. Reason being they don't want it, It cost to much. We don't want to take the bus or trains because only low lifes ride transit. So they drive and drive and drive even to the corner convience store. Its time for America to grow up and show some commons sense and lose some of its selfishness. These are very bad times in this country's history, and its only a matter of years before we deal with China and their great need for the worlds oil supplies. We already owe them so much money and with their great need for oil supplies. I don't think I would care to see that competition come to a climax. I'm not sure I want to be around for that confrontation that will surely come.
Gas has hit $3.85 for the cheapest gas in many of the stations here in Portland. I imagine within another week or 2 the cheapest will definitely be $4.00 and keep rising. Thats fine it can be $7.00 as it is in many countries in this world and that is only fair. Its one thing to live in rural America and be dependent on a vehicle that is understandable. Its an entirely different matter in populated America. Americans at least in our big Metro's need to make a huge push for alternative methods of transportation besides driving everywhere.
Its time to drop the selfishness and time to grow up and face reality. We do not own the world or its oil supplies or anything else on this planet.
So yes I would prefer the gas prices rise and not go back down this time, if that is what it takes for Americans to change their ways.
Sorry but thats my view and everyone including all of you are entitled to yours. Im done.
Over charging? It cost millions of dollars to drill oil wells and refine it into gasoline. Meanwhile, you are buying a bottle of water for $1.00!!! Thats $6.4 a gallon. That $hit falls from the sky for God's sake. People need to wake up, oil is cheap, thats why we use it.
Do you have a better one. Maybe you can think of something that is cheaper then oil and can fuel our vehicles more efficiently. If you do then you should speak up because you will be a billionaire.
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