Lower gas prices: not a good thing?

[Th-e]

As I see oil and gas prices dropping, I see that it is a good thing in the short term, but not in the long term.

If gas prices stayed at, near, or above $3.00 in America, then alternative fuels will become common and eventually reduce a significant amount of our oil dependency. With less oil, we won't have to worry about rogue Arab nations cutting off their supplies. We could kick Iran's ass if we need to and not face a crippling blow to economies. Think of the power America could have by quelling our oil addiction.

Also, a good alternative fuel will reduce pollution and help limit global warming.

[hongkongexpress]

I agree. Like with the prices so high. People were looking at ways to increase the milage in ther cars, for example. doing the usual, tuning up their cars, or adding fuel additives (like injector cleaners). or at least I was anyways. or even tossing their old shit cars, for newer more fuel effenct cars.

Now that gas is down to 79 cents a leter. people are going to forget about the fuel crisis. Like with the prices so high, all these news rooms focused on that. Like nobody gave a shit about Katrina, but how the fuel prices were affected, never mind the humans trapped in the Superbowl dieing of disease, or the looters running amuck. The news just talked about the world's addiction to oil. And talked about fuel effenciency or alternative fuels research.

now we're back to square one. Where the people of Brazil are laughing at us, as they've become petroleum independent, due to their wise decision in the 70s to go ethanol.

[UndeadTemplar88]

Haha, there is no way in Hell that the world will find alternatives in fuel, on a political sense, because oil is one of the biggest political tools there are in the world. If you give it up for alternative fuels, then it loses value, and you paid a higher price a while ago before it became so worthless

[AdamRice]

I wouldn't worry about anyone forgetting just yet. Prices are already on the rise as the winter season is kicking off. I would guess we will be up to $2.50 or higher by thanksgiving and perhaps $2.80 by next spring. That is ofcourse a hard prediction to make as gas prices fluctuate considerably.

But I agree that with prices higher people were looking into cleaner forms of energy and more efficient vehicles. I have found myself being less efficient with lower prices.

[xlenzix]

Perhaps our dependence on foreign oil could be lessened if we simply used less oil. There are alternative fuel sources, but at present, it seems to me that we should start a little smaller.

Not intending offense to anyone here, there are certain problems with the American SUV addiction. As far as I can see, it is a status symbol and therefore very sought-after. However, the problem is that it uses up significantly more oil. If we used less oil, then the foreign oil producing countries would make less money, and there would be less pollution.

Then after that we can worry about alternative fuel sources. I agree that it is going to be almost impossible to use different fuels right now, but if we gradually lessen our use of oil and slowly increase other sources, I feel we will be on the path to success.

Except for the fact that no politician will ever accept my idea. There's too many SUV drivers out there.

[BeFell]

The reduction in fuel prices doesn't really seem to be affecting the shift towards alternative energy sources. Ethanol and biodiesel are widely available, most of GM's lineup is compatible with higher concentrations of ethanol and the Japanese are starting to take a look at ethanol as well as continuing to market their hybrids. There was also just a big to do from Ford about their breakthroughs in hydrogen.

In theory your position makes sense but in reality you just kind of sound like a rambling retard.

Also anything over $2.00 a gallon is still too damn high.

[cellardoor6]

At 10/10/06 01:06 AM, BeFell wrote: Also anything over $2.00 a gallon is still too damn high.

If you go to Canada or the UK you will shoot yourself if thats how you feel.

Its equivalent to about $4.00 USD in Canada for a gallon (they sell litres). We actually had it pretty easy here in the US even at $3.00+ because we have much lower gas taxes. In Vancouver, B.C. about 6 months ago it cost me $95 to fill up my gas tank.

[EnragedSephiroth]

I agree with BeFell on this one. I don't think peopple ever want to be at the mercy of the pump again like they were when prices here went over $3/gal. So because of that low-blow by oil companies, a process to find alternative energy sources was kicked into a higher gear. With or without the aid of the oil companies new energy sources will be found. It's in the best interest of big oil to invest in these new resources from a business point of view, no one wants to miss the boat.

I think we're on to something with fuel-cell technology and ethanol. Also the electric car has some promise but that's still a work very much in progress. There was even a concept race car manufactured by Rinspeed which could run on methane from garbage. Rinspeed is a Swiss company which goes to great lengths to modify cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinspeed The methane car I read about is called the Vantige and apparently there's also a 2004 Splash and 2005 Senso concept, all of which have virtually no sulfur emissions :D

[EnragedSephiroth]

Holy crap this link on the 2004 Rinspeed Splash is seriously tripping me out. http://www.seriouswh..-Rinspeed-Splash.htm

http://www.seriouswh..ed-Senso-Concept.htm

http://www.supercars.net/cars/1682.html

All of those cars run on natural gas methane with a bit of diesel.

[cellardoor6]

Man, the Swiss are insane.

[ImmoralLibertarian]

At 10/9/06 09:59 PM, The-Obsession wrote: Also, a good alternative fuel will reduce pollution and help limit global warming.

This should not be a side note.

[BeFell]

At 10/10/06 03:41 PM, im-back-baby wrote: And walking (you bunch of lazy bastards) LOL

Here's your God damn fuel economy.

[LazyDrunk]

At 10/10/06 04:00 AM, cellardoor6 wrote:
Its equivalent to about $4.00 USD in Canada for a gallon (they sell litres). We actually had it pretty easy here in the US even at $3.00+ because we have much lower gas taxes. In Vancouver, B.C. about 6 months ago it cost me $95 to fill up my gas tank.

On the flip side of that, we also buy higher quantities of oil when we draw up our contracts.

It'd be like making the US pay $420 for an ounce of weed simply because Canada buys it for $30 a half-eight. Or some Costco/WalMart example of how savings are passed on when you buy more.

[36Holla]

Im gettin a hybrid soon anyways. Im tired of having to pay the high gas prices as often as i do.

[EnragedSephiroth]

At 10/10/06 06:12 PM, 36Holla wrote: Im gettin a hybrid soon anyways. Im tired of having to pay the high gas prices as often as i do.

Dude hybrids aren't all that fuel-efficient. When you put your foot down on the throttle you're running on fuel rather than on electricity so you're still wasting gas. If you really want an economic form of transportation, try a crotch-rocket/motorcycle.

[Laos101]

IT was all a lie, they squeezed the lemon until no juice came out, now their releasing the squeeze

[The-Stefan]

In myth busters they have showed that you can filter used deep-fryer juice wich is something you can get from a resturant since they consider it trash, and then pour it in the engine. It works just as well as gasoline.

[AdamRice]

I would like to point out that methane powered cars still produce CO2 and Water Vapor as byproducts of combustion.

Sure methane burns cleaner, which virtually eliminates any smog problems from such a vehicle, but it does contribute to global warming.

Methane is also somewhat renewable since it is produced by methanogen bacteria eating away rotting organic matter. But the levels at which it can be produced would not meet the transportation idustries energy demands.

Also I would like to talk about hydrogen. Hydrogen is not an energy source, it's a means of energy storage. You have to use electricity through electrolosis to make hydrogen. Your just storing energy in this matter.

Quite frankly it would probably be more practical to use that energy to reform CO2 and H20 back into hydrocarbon blends like gasoline. The only reason I say this is because gasoline is much easier to store and contain then hydrogen and has a higher energy density.

However the latter option would still present smog problems for urban environments.

One more thing to add is that here in Michigan I have never seen an E85 ethanol or Biodiesel pump ever in my life. I know they have more in other states but there are hardly any around here. I think that's bullshit.

[BeFell]

At 10/13/06 12:13 AM, fasdit wrote: Also I would like to talk about hydrogen. Hydrogen is not an energy source, it's a means of energy storage. You have to use electricity through electrolosis to make hydrogen. Your just storing energy in this matter.

What if you used elecricity produced by a dam? I like that, dam powered cars, fuck the fish.

One more thing to add is that here in Michigan I have never seen an E85 ethanol or Biodiesel pump ever in my life. I know they have more in other states but there are hardly any around here. I think that's bullshit.

You mean Michigan the state that Detroit is in? Hmm... I'm going to have shrug and scratch my head on this one, a good ball scrath wouldn't hurt either. Oh yeah that's the stuff...

[HoboPorn]

At 10/9/06 09:59 PM, The-Obsession wrote: As I see oil and gas prices dropping, I see that it is a good thing in the short term, but not in the long term.

If gas prices stayed at, near, or above $3.00 in America, then alternative fuels will become common and eventually reduce a significant amount of our oil dependency. With less oil, we won't have to worry about rogue Arab nations cutting off their supplies. We could kick Iran's ass if we need to and not face a crippling blow to economies. Think of the power America could have by quelling our oil addiction.

Also, a good alternative fuel will reduce pollution and help limit global warming.

I dunno if we could kick irans ass, well actually I know we would, but you forget they have allies to, and their allies have allies, and we have allies and our allies have allies etc, we could possibly start the next WW3 if korea doesn't and all this does happen.

[EnragedSephiroth]

At 10/11/06 09:06 AM, The-Stefan wrote: In myth busters they have showed that you can filter used deep-fryer juice wich is something you can get from a resturant since they consider it trash, and then pour it in the engine. It works just as well as gasoline.

Yup and it can give your exhaust fumes the following smells:
1. Fried chicken
2. Fried shrimp
3. French fries
4. Fried bacon

[Camarohusky]

Hmmm.... Last time I checked, the $3.50/gal gas wasn't discouraging anyone from driving. Just the complaints/mile numbers were skyrocketing.

Make quality, efficient and comfortable mass transit and maybe people will stop driving...

[AdamRice]

At 10/13/06 12:18 AM, BeFell wrote:

At 10/13/06 12:13 AM, fasdit wrote: Also I would like to talk about hydrogen. Hydrogen is not an energy source, it's a means of energy storage. You have to use electricity through electrolosis to make hydrogen. Your just storing energy in this matter.

What if you used elecricity produced by a dam? I like that, dam powered cars, fuck the fish.

It would be a poor idea to fuck the fish since they make up a large portion of the human food source. And yes if you make hydrogen using non poluting measures then it's perfectly fine. Iceland has so much geothermal and hydro power capabilities that they use all that extra power to make hydrogen and sell it. You could also use Nuclear power to make hydrogen.
My point was that the president makes big claims about hydrogen being the fuel of the future without explaining how he plans to produce all of it or set up an infrastructure.

You mean Michigan the state that Detroit is in? Hmm... I'm going to have shrug and scratch my head on this one, a good ball scrath wouldn't hurt either. Oh yeah that's the stuff...

Don't be player hating on Detroit. Parts of it are shit but some of the suburbs are nice. That city has nothing to do with the lack of E85 pumps. We have plenty of farms here in Michigan so it's bullshit that there isn't a better infrastructure. Governmental elections are coming up and I hate both candidates. Neither of them will probably do anything with Ethanol. Too bad I won't be 18 by the time they roll around.

[BeFell]

At 10/13/06 07:11 PM, fasdit wrote: It would be a poor idea to fuck the fish since they make up a large portion of the human food source. And yes if you make hydrogen using non poluting measures then it's perfectly fine. Iceland has so much geothermal and hydro power capabilities that they use all that extra power to make hydrogen and sell it. You could also use Nuclear power to make hydrogen.
My point was that the president makes big claims about hydrogen being the fuel of the future without explaining how he plans to produce all of it or set up an infrastructure.

We grow fish on farms now, we need wild salmon like we need wild cows.

Don't be player hating on Detroit. Parts of it are shit but some of the suburbs are nice. That city has nothing to do with the lack of E85 pumps. We have plenty of farms here in Michigan so it's bullshit that there isn't a better infrastructure. Governmental elections are coming up and I hate both candidates. Neither of them will probably do anything with Ethanol. Too bad I won't be 18 by the time they roll around.

I was actually more refering to the corporate image of Detroit rather than agricultural image of your state. Perhaps that's still too subtle, how to get the point accross...

THE BIG FUCKING THREE

That ought to do it, maybe.

[EnragedSephiroth]

At 10/13/06 08:02 PM, BeFell wrote: THE BIG FUCKING THREE

What tree? Oh wait you said three...

That ought to do it, maybe.

Do what? ... You're being to vague...