Some gas price relief on the way? (San Antonio, Anton: transporting, buying)

[sapphire]

Suspending the Gas Tax? | WOAI.COM: San Antonio News

Texas has a surplus of $12-$14 BILLION and they have to think about suspending the state gas tax for 3 months?

Granted, it's temporary, and not a whole lot of tax savings, but sheesh, every little bit helps!

[Steel Man]

I agree it would be nice if Texas at least lowers the tax rater temporarily. I would like to take a slight tangent to sapphire's op. Even though gas prices keep rising every week, did you know that our government is STILL pumping 50,000 barrels a day into the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Texas and Louisiana? This is definitely not helping the situation. IMO, they should halt this temporarily (at least through the summer) and release some of the almost 700 million barrels already in the reserve to produce more diesel fuel to help bring down the prices our commercial trucks have to pay that raise prices throughout the economy.

[Bo]

Surplus? Tell me again why we need toll roads if there's a surplus of highway money.

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

I agree it would be nice if Texas at least lowers the tax rater temporarily. I would like to take a slight tangent to sapphire's op. Even though gas prices keep rising every week, did you know that our government is STILL pumping 50,000 barrels a day into the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Texas and Louisiana? This is definitely not helping the situation. IMO, they should halt this temporarily (at least through the summer) and release some of the almost 700 million barrels already in the reserve to produce more diesel fuel to help bring down the prices our commercial trucks have to pay that raise prices throughout the economy.

About 100 truckers protested in DC on Monday--over the diesel prices. More would have shown up, but they couldn't afford the diesel to get there. The truckers shut down, and we're in trouble.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by sapphire

About 100 truckers protested in DC on Monday--over the diesel prices. More would have shown up, but they couldn't afford the diesel to get there. The truckers shut down, and we're in trouble.

That's why we need to start buying local, so we're not so dependent upon long-haul for anything.

Problem is, it's such a part of our way of life, that it's not only hard to change, it's nearly impossible. We have farmers' markets here, but they are few and far between because there just hadn' tbeen the demand. Now we have to start demanding local food so the farmers have some one local to sell to.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by Chaka

That's why we need to start buying local, so we're not so dependent upon long-haul for anything.

Problem is, it's such a part of our way of life, that it's not only hard to change, it's nearly impossible. We have farmers' markets here, but they are few and far between because there just hadn' tbeen the demand. Now we have to start demanding local food so the farmers have some one local to sell to.

Though buying local is a good idea, it is not always practical. For one, in manufacturing raw material usually comes from other areas of the country (steel for example). Also, our local CPS uses coal from Wyoming that is brought to us by trains that burn diesel.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

Though buying local is a good idea, it is not always practical. For one, in manufacturing raw material usually comes from other areas of the country (steel for example). Also, our local CPS uses coal from Wyoming that is brought to us by trains that burn diesel.

Oh I agree it's not practical for everything, but for the basic necessities of life, i.e. food, we can do a lot more than we do now.

And maybe we need to re-think how our utilities run? I realize such things are grand changes, but now's the time to start considering it. Well, the time was 20 years ago, but now we have no choice.

[cwh]

As much as I would like to see lower gas prices, these are all temporary solutions. We as country need to buckle down and make the adjustments for the higher cost of fuel, It sucks but we need to do it. While I think we are in a temporary oil bubble, I doubt we are going down below $2/gallon again. Before we discount the cost of fuel, lets give industry time to get more containers off the road and onto rail. Let give truckers the chance to economize their rigs(super single tires, aux generators,..).

And more importantly lets give everyone a chance to economize with their own personal transport if needed. There is good stuff coming out in the next year or from the car companies(diesels, downsized turbo gassers, more hybrids and other tweaks for economy). Until the bubble busts, just drop the lead foot and drive the speed limit.


But long term it is time drop regulation on where we can and cant drill. It is past time to open up anwr and offshore. Both of these can done without damaging the environment.

[cwh]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

Though buying local is a good idea, it is not always practical. For one, in manufacturing raw material usually comes from other areas of the country (steel for example). Also, our local CPS uses coal from Wyoming that is brought to us by trains that burn diesel.

Dont worry about the diesel used to transport that coal, it is very little compared to the amount of energy they are using. And once CPS gets its scrubbers installed they can probably burn some dirty texas coal. Also since rail transports alot of coal, I think they should set up coal to syndiesel plant at these mines so rail can make their own fuel.

And if you want to stop transporting fuel, nuclear is about the only way to go.

[cwh]

Originally Posted by sapphire

About 100 truckers protested in DC on Monday--over the diesel prices. More would have shown up, but they couldn't afford the diesel to get there. The truckers shut down, and we're in trouble.

Truckers are not going to shut down, it is just going to cost more. If truckers shut down that will just accelerate containers getting on rail.