GAS PROTEST

[Anonymous]

Toyota quit pursuing fuel cell technology as a replacement for the internal combustion and hybrid vehicles because it IS dirty fuel. They are still experimenting with it and have a fleet of them on the West Coast but it won't become commonplace. They instead have geared towards hybrids as the wave of the future. They were implimented in Japan 5 years before the U.S. and introduced to California first for emissions concerns. Their benefits and reliability has been so good that they cannot produce enough of them to meet demand. Some of Toyotas assembly plants here are being re-tooled so that in the near future almost any of its 17 models can be built 'standard' or hybrid on the same line as the build order states.Other major manufacturers that have fallen behind in this technology have found it 'cheaper' to lease Toyotas technology and pay them for their research and success than to design their own. I have been involved with the Prius since its introduction to the U.S. and can say I have never seen a major malfunction with any of them and the generation 2's are even better! Go Toyo!

[Modelcar]

.....Page 86 in May Motor Trend has good article of about 4 of them....and some charts, etc.....Believe they are into the automotive bit enough to present pretty good info. Actually, the Prius does even better on the chart than I quoted....

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....Latest reports by auto writers have the current Prius running it's best mileage during local driving and in the range of 50 mpg....Slightly less over the open road.

I would like to believe thats true, but did they really test it in the real world. A week straight of city street driving. My commute is under 3 miles. I have less than one mile where I can legally exceed 35 MPH (if I take the Highway instead of going through the residental areas) and due to traffic I am normally below 25 mph and sometimes stop and go.

[Modelcar]

....Latest reports by auto writers have the current Prius running it's best mileage during local driving and in the range of 50 mpg....Slightly less over the open road.

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Puckdropper

QUOTE: My next veichle is either going to be a hybrid or a VW diesel car......haven't decided yet....

If you're driving in the city, or around small towns, go with the hybrid. According to my uncle Roger (a shadetree mechanic), a diesel gets really good mileage out on the road when it has a change to get warm and stay warm and burn some of the afterfumes. He said his diesel will burn a quarter tank going about 7-10 miles after going distances like that for a time. When he gets it out on the interstates, it uses a lot less gas.

From what I've heard about hybrids, they only run the gas engine to charge the battery. That means if the battery's fine, and the motor/lights not running, not going anywhere doesn't hurt your gas mileage. (50 mpg in the city would be great!) When my car needs to be replaced (that's still a long ways off), I'm going to be looking at hybrids, even if I have to buy one new.

I looked at the Toyota Prius several years ago. It uses electric, gas or gas and electric depending on the situation. I like the concept and it may be the way to go someday, however I didn't buy one.

I checked the web for comments by owners. Several whose driving situation is similar to mine (short trips around town during the week, once in awhile a longer trip on the weekend) reported that during the week they got less than 20 mpg due to the need to keep the batteries charged. My old GMC van does as well and the straight gas buggy I bought does better.

[Puckdropper]

QUOTE: My next veichle is either going to be a hybrid or a VW diesel car......haven't decided yet....

If you're driving in the city, or around small towns, go with the hybrid. According to my uncle Roger (a shadetree mechanic), a diesel gets really good mileage out on the road when it has a change to get warm and stay warm and burn some of the afterfumes. He said his diesel will burn a quarter tank going about 7-10 miles after going distances like that for a time. When he gets it out on the interstates, it uses a lot less gas.

From what I've heard about hybrids, they only run the gas engine to charge the battery. That means if the battery's fine, and the motor/lights not running, not going anywhere doesn't hurt your gas mileage. (50 mpg in the city would be great!) When my car needs to be replaced (that's still a long ways off), I'm going to be looking at hybrids, even if I have to buy one new.

[daveklepper]

Are you not forgetting that it takes more energy to create Hydrogen than the energy you get from it? Feul cell technology is not a way to reduce energy consumption. All it does is move the point of pollution from the individual vehicle to a central plant where it pollution is easier to control . Hybrid technology is what reduces fuel consumption and indeed all fuel cell cars use batteries as well as use energy recovery as well, otherwise they would be hopelessly uneconomic. America does not need fuel cell research and it is one big boondogle. America does need automakers that are responsible. GM could have had electric transmission and energy recovery 50 years ago. But its management clearly was intersted in oil profits even above the profits to its stockholders and employment of its workers. Nearly every airport shuttle bus in Europe uses electric transmission now. GM fought the compact revolution just as it used its marketing power and muscle to get people to buy SUV's instead of cars even after 11.09.01! And I did find it interesting that immediately after Doug Riddell's photo of a locomotive just missing running into a truck stalled on a grade crossing, RAIL NEWS, TRAINS' only worthy competitor, was closed. Recently we had the TRAINS article of the Swiss democratically deciding that their country would be a "Light to the Nations" on basing life on a rail-based economy instead of a highway based one . Intersting, and no further comment necessary. Dave

[vsmith]

QUOTE:

So in the new five year plan of the worker's paradise, we will confiscate and subdivide any residential housing greater than 1200 sf for families and place all workers of good party standing on a waiting list for production of black, three cylinder sedans.

Hmmmmm sounds familiar..

Trabant's for everyone !!!!!

The people's car! The perfect sybol of Socialism!

It was badly planned, poorly built, uncomfortable as hell, handled like a drunken cow but somehow managed to work...at least for a while....

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark



IF YOU ARE DRIVING ANYTHING LARGER THAN A FOUR BANGER, YOU ARE A GAS HOG! IF YOU LIVE IN ANYTHING LARGER THAN A 1200 SQUARE FOOT HOME, YOU ARE AN ENERGY HOG!

Well Sheee-it Don!

You dont leave much wiggle room for the Average Joe dont you...

I have a 4 door Nissan Frontier pickup with a V6, yeah, is not good on gas at 20mph hwy, put for a pickup thats pretty dam good! I woulda gotten a 4 banger but they just dont offer it in the model I NEEDED, not wanted. I needed the seats of a sedan for family and the bed of a truck for construction materials, but I KNEW it was going to be hard on gas when I bought it, so I dont cry when i fill the tank like the Hummer owner I heard be-itching about filling her tank...When I finish with the reason I got it, I do plan on trading it in for something more economical...I like the Toyota Scion xB , the Breadbox!

1200 sq. ft. for a house?

Where in the Wide, Wide World of Sports to you draw the line there?

Sheee-it! ....My house is an old bungalow and its only 1296 Sq Ft two bedroom with a tiny kitchen and bath! THATS TO LARGE? What are you a midget? 1200 sq ft would be a mansion to Mini-Me I Suppose, but its DAMN TIGHT for a family.

So Don, please ease off the retoric or provide some backup data for this claim...[;)]

So in the new five year plan of the worker's paradise, we will confiscate and subdivide any residential housing greater than 1200 sf for families and place all workers of good party standing on a waiting list for production of black, three cylinder sedans. We will confiscate and redistribute excess wealth of the ruling class (to the new ruling class) and everyone will make the same wage regardless of talent or ability. To eliminate the negative aspects of consumerism we shall nationalize all industry and provide only the goods to the people as we the government see fit. Hmmmmm sounds familiar..

I am an American. If I chose to pay for and operate my SUV to drive to and from my 3000sf (i wish) home I shall. I shall leave the lights, air conditioner and electric trains on all night long if I desire. Folks died for me to have the right to have the opportunity to waste my money as I see fit. I shall not let them down.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

T HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE MAY 19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR BEHIND" DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WAITING ON THIS ADMIINSTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU
KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE MAY 19TH A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

CAPITAL LOCK SUCK !!!!

I will not read this until it is reposted in readable format! It looks like an e-mail chain letter.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark



IF YOU ARE DRIVING ANYTHING LARGER THAN A FOUR BANGER, YOU ARE A GAS HOG! IF YOU LIVE IN ANYTHING LARGER THAN A 1200 SQUARE FOOT HOME, YOU ARE AN ENERGY HOG!

Well Sheee-it Don!

You dont leave much wiggle room for the Average Joe dont you...

I have a 4 door Nissan Frontier pickup with a V6, yeah, is not good on gas at 20mph hwy, put for a pickup thats pretty dam good! I woulda gotten a 4 banger but they just dont offer it in the model I NEEDED, not wanted. I needed the seats of a sedan for family and the bed of a truck for construction materials, but I KNEW it was going to be hard on gas when I bought it, so I dont cry when i fill the tank like the Hummer owner I heard be-itching about filling her tank...When I finish with the reason I got it, I do plan on trading it in for something more economical...I like the Toyota Scion xB , the Breadbox!

1200 sq. ft. for a house?

Where in the Wide, Wide World of Sports to you draw the line there?

Sheee-it! ....My house is an old bungalow and its only 1296 Sq Ft two bedroom with a tiny kitchen and bath! THATS TO LARGE? What are you a midget? 1200 sq ft would be a mansion to Mini-Me I Suppose, but its DAMN TIGHT for a family.

So Don, please ease off the retoric or provide some backup data for this claim...[;)]

[Modelcar]

...It may take forever to work out and we'll all be broke by then...well not quite but it is not going to cure itself very soon.
One example of letting the economics work it out: Our Cable systems have been deregulated and what has the price done....They have sky rocketed.
Somehow, these situations such as getting more refineries built needs to be discussed and figured how we best get some more on line. If it takes some government help, so be it....

[jchnhtfd]

What a can of worms![:D] As several of the posts have noted, our gasoline prices haven't really gone up that much in terms of labour worked vs. a gallon of gas -- when I pumped gas at 19.9 cents per gallon, my wage was the minimum -- $.75 per hour. A long time ago. So the wage of a gas station attendant (if you can find one[:D]) is $7.50, and gas is $1.99? there's no difference.[:)]

However, the issue of dependence on cars in North America (not just the US, friends!) is horribly complex. Indeed, in the UK and the rest of Europe, gas is 4 to 8 times as expensive -- but you don't need a car to get to work, or buy groceries, or watch a movie -- or visit the pub. There is low-cost public transport (rail and 'bus) everywhere. Furthermore, land use planning is very different -- here we have system where the jobs and the shopping and the housing are rigidly segregated; where lot sizes are huge (by European standards) so housing areas cover square miles... so public transport is less efficient here (read: takes more tax dollars to subsidise[xx(])... and so we are more dependent on our cars (or trucks, or SUVs...). Well meaning land planning, perhaps -- but, also perhaps, misguided in the long run. Then other well-meaning folks demanded high corporate average gas mileage for passenger cars from the auto companies -- which resulted in the demise of the station wagon and the rise of the SUV (which is a truck and doesn't count) -- again, well meaning but misguided public policy. And so on...

Some else noted that there have been no new refineries built -- and again, the well meaning but perhaps misguided regulations on them discourage them so much that... never mind the NIMBY syndrome. Is anyone really seriously surprised that there is a capacity problem? You shouldn't be.

The illustrations could continue... is there a way out? D___ed if I know. But I would rather see the forces of economics work it out, than the forces of Big Brother government, fer sure[:D]!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Time goes on, thats how...
Whats funny is, 20 years from now, my kids are going to be saying
"Dad, was gas really that cheap when you were a kid?"...
Lordy, it goes by quick...

Ed

........ if you think that was cheap, you should ask grandpa about gas.

Kinda puts things in prespective......
It really hit home when my grandpa started telling me that his dad never actually learned to drive a car.....
He used horse and buggy and later streetcars to get around, imagine going your whole life and never driving anywhere......life was simple then.

He was dead before the widespread use of the personal automobile.....it wasn't THAT long ago.

Speaking if diesel, another thing I noticed about it is that the price doesn't seem to fluctuate as much.... with regular gas going up and down by as much as 10 cents a litre some days (here in BC) I notice that those stations selling diesel didn't change the prices nearly as often.

Sometimes the station would even go weeks at a time and never change the price, and yet here's regular gas bobbing up and down like there's no tomorrow....

My next veichle is either going to be a hybrid or a VW diesel car......haven't decided yet....

[Train Guy 3]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Time goes on, thats how...
Whats funny is, 20 years from now, my kids are going to be saying
"Dad, was gas really that cheap when you were a kid?"...
Lordy, it goes by quick...

Ed

........ if you think that was cheap, you should ask grandpa about gas.

[edblysard]

Time goes on, thats how...
Whats funny is, 20 years from now, my kids are going to be saying
"Dad, was gas really that cheap when you were a kid?"...
Lordy, it goes by quick...

Ed

[Train Guy 3]

I'll mark the date down and spread the word.

I think people should look into a dissel vehicle. I own a dissel stationg wagon myslef. She get good fuel mileage and aint slow either, now that says a lot for an old "grocery getter". Around here regular gas is between 1.79 and 1.89 compaired to dissel at 1.65 - 1.69. Those savings will add up.

[Modelcar]

...I certainly agree with you [Dan], on "there are no quick and easy answers to any of this".
Up until just recently fuel [gasoline], prices were not too bad....and it's the massive jumping of the prices almost doubling in fact...in just a few years that gets one's attention and wondering who is doing this and for what greedy reason and it angers some of our population for sure.

Ed....I understand clearly what you are saying....and I hate to admit but I remember when gasoline could be purchased for 16.6 cents a gallon....and of course a 7oz. coke was purchased for 5 cents...!! I understand we now have a complete different structure of taxes, etc....and so on and I just throw it out to give the thought where we have come from...By the way that was at our station..."Mong's Esso Station" that I'm quoting the gas price...and the time element was 1938...! How did we get all through the twists to get from there to here....

[AltonFan]

As I drive through the suburbs of Chicago, it has come to my attention that if the price of gasoline reached European proportions, many towns would be unlivable. The subdivisions, business districts, and shopping centers all built with the idea that people will come and go in automobiles. There is little public transportation. Some of the older suburbs, and The City itself, were built in horse-and-buggy days, and might not have as much trouble.

The price system will provide the incentive for any changes needed in our lifestyle. $2.00-a-gallon gas tells us something. If that price doesn't go down, people will start considering public transportation, buying smaller cars, etc.

I've long believed that even if there was a way to demonstrate to all the citizens that the prices they are paying for fuel, food, and other necessities are fair and justified by economic conditions, people would still complain. These are things we need, and we will need them in the quantities we require whether the price is high or low. It's human nature, and there is probably no way to change that situation.

I've also heard it said that the Middle East is very concerned about the future of the oils business as the next fifty years or so are going to bring new technologies that are less dependent on their product. And it has been suggested that when that finally happens, the Middle East will cease to be a hot spot and become a backwater again. (I personally don't believe this last proposition; if anything, less dependence on Middle Eastern oil will result in a lowering of the standard of living in the region, and bring with it all the social and political ills that come with a lower standard of living.)

There are no quick and easy answers to any of this...

[edblysard]

Hi Quentin,
I wasnt making fun, and yes, I do think alternative energy sources need to be explored.
I know about the windmills, I hauled them out of the city docks and gave them to UP to bring to to you, remember?

But heres something, on a percent basis, you spend about the same amount of your income for food, gas, housing, clothes and entertainment as you did 20 years ago.
Yes, the cost is higher, but so is your income.

20 years ago, we spent 20 bucks to fill up your big ole Chevy Land Yacht, and had enough left over to buy a coke.

Today, you spend 35 bucks to fill up your S10 or Blazer, and have enough left over to buy a coke.

Of course, the coke cost 50 cents 20 years ago, it now cost $1.29, and gas was 75 cents, now $1.89 to $2.25.

But minimum wage also went from $2.45 a hour to $5.15 in the same time span, and I would bet that the earnings of most of us have increased the same percent, if not more.

The problem is most of us remember gas at 75 cents a gallon, so a $1.89 seems outrageous.

It really isnt, you've been overseas, and seen what they pay per gallon, we got it made in compairson.

And those huge homes?

They are several times over more energy efficent that the 1200 sq foot bungalows or my GI bill ranch.

I had spent several thousand dollars adding insulation, double paned windows, door seals and such, but recouped the cost in under ten years on my enegry bill.

I agree too, that offering builders some incentive to build more efficent homes is a good idea, and somewhere in the back of my mind is the idea that the goverment does just that, but the old gray matter is kinda burnt today...

Several of the younger guys at the railroad have bought new homes, and for the most part, down here, the builders are offering natural gas or electrict options.

Of course, if we(the goverment) decided to restrict the size of homes that could be built, then the construction business would slow down, there would be more lay offs, less money would be spent, less number of homes bought, more un-employeement, higher cost of social services, ( welfare, AFDC, food stamps, unemployeement benifits) and most of the consumer goods cost would rise, which leads to people spending even less, which further raises the cost of consumer goods, because when people buy less of a item, its cost increases, which....
Kinda a nasty circle...
and the other side is when things become too cheap, and a glut of certain goods occur, then the layoffs begin also, because production is slowed, and...away we go again.

And if we did what CSX suggested, imagine what the repercussions would be if it truly affected the oil business.
Think about how many people would be laid off, and the effect on the rest of the economy.


Ed

[Modelcar]

...Solar installations in the late 70's and 80's were given a tax break....and I believe most now have been eliminated. Lets figure out what it takes and reinstall them. Incentives would be a help and people would start to take a look at them. And as mentioned it all helps the bottom line of supplying our energy. Wind generated electricity of course is another help. Some areas now have them and they are up and running.

[Anonymous]

In one of the other threads I mentioned the use of windmills and solar panels for home use. That would help reduce home heating/cooling bills and not be harmful to the environment. This technology is available but might be a bit costly right now. There are windmill farms in several places in the US. Use a combo of the windmills and solar panels and give a tax break to individuals buying them and using them. This would not only help reduce oil useage but also create a new industry and JOBS. Less oil used, more people working, now that's a better deal. [;)] [:)]

[wabash1]

csx engineer

I would most of the time back you on things... but this time you are way out there. i will buy a v8 when i need to haul things ( like now) i buy what i need and dont need extra tax. when i dont need a v8 ill get rid of it. simple and gas milage dont mean much as I buy what i need to get the job done. In other words most people buy what they need for doing jobs. a suv for city driving is not a good investment to mebut a v8 truck for hauling supplies is. and i dont own a RV never will a trailer is better. and we dont need to be taxed extra for what we buy

[Modelcar]

....I agree the Chinese probably have not gone to the extent to protect the environment as we have.....That's probably a given. But they are coming on strong in using up oil supplies as their growing by leaps and bounds compared to our economy now.
We can't stand still and stick our head in the sand.....Something has to be done and it seems we're not getting to it now. Just glance at the corner filing station and at the price and It should tell us that pretty loud.
In general, the oil fields aren't being bombed and overun now by insurgents and look where oil prices are headed. SOMEONE better start with answers....and thinking that Americans will drive little econoboxes with pipsqueak engines...that's not going to happen. We need to install our thinking caps and band together for the long term and get this figured out. Hybrid units both passenger and SUV's are coming but that's just a start...!
Ed, we have a total electric home and really it's not too bad in energy consumption all though much more costly now than when I built it in 1971...[So is everything else], and in fact the last several years in this area Natural Gas has soared in price, so they are getting the consummers one way or another. Much of our electricy in this area is generated via coal and some nuclear power and perhaps to a lessor degree by natural gas and even some oil.
Wind power is coming on line now and we need to continue with it's capability....That is not using any expensive fuel to do the job. BUT something better be started with vigor.
Not just jaw boning.

[DSchmitt]

The main reason refineries have not been built in the US is government over regulation at all levels local, state, and federal. Altogether they make building anything so potentially dangerous or polluting very difficult and too costly.

If the goverment obeys its own rules, it can't build refineries either.

A "socialist" regime like used to exist in eastern Europe or Russia, or one like still exists in China could do it because when the government runs everything there are no rules for the government, but look at what a mess they have made of their economies and the environment. (The Chinese has improved their enonomy in some areas of their country by allowing some capitalist elements and partnerships with foreign firms, but they are doing virtually nothing to protect the environment.)

[Modelcar]

...I don't see how "all proposals suggested here" will mean a "bigger government"...and so what if it takes a few more people to do the job I am talking about....No one else is stepping up to do the job of building refineries. I'm not suggesting the government RUN it, as I said set it up for priviate enterprise to do the job....Somehow it seems we do need more capacity in refining the fuel. And I suppose a profit can be made or the ones we have now wouldn't be running. So it pays for itself to be constructed.
I didn't say ALL folks would have to live in 1200 sq ft houses....just suggested an incentive for builders to build some and people to buy them....I know for sure all the 8,000 sq ft units and larger homes being constructed in this area is just bit much and really not necessary. Even the 5 and 6000 ones as well....
Somehow we do need to work on the problem and this is just one way.
And by the way, I'm not afraid of the Government doing this anymore than the amount of money being spent all over the world now...and on and on......

[Puckdropper]

My car is a 4 cylinder... It gets about 20-22 mpg in the city... Out on the road (once it gets over city shock) it'll average about 28 - 30 mpg. If it's cool/warm enough to not need the temperature control systems, I can sometimes get 34, 35 mpg.

What is the real gas hog is starting and stopping. (Especially the stoplight that turns red with NO ONE AROUND BUT ME.) If you can simply keep your car going, you'll get better gas mileage.

Sometimes you have to have an 8 cylinder in a vehicle due to it's size and terrain. We've often loaded our van (loaded means back is full, barly enough for 1 person to sit in the back seat) and gone on vacation. A 6 cylinder would have to be treated like a train going up hill, 90 mph before the hill, to maintain 10 mph uphill. Gas hog? Perhaps, but how are we supposed to get from here to there with the stuff we need without using a van? Two cars? That's a waste of gas.

[Anonymous]

China has over a billion people, their economy is growing 8 – 10 percent per year. Oil reserves are declining everywhere but some parts of the former Soviet Union. McMansions, long commutes, and SUV's jack up fuel prices faster but they are going up anyway and they will go so high it's gonna hurt.

Europeans pay as much per liter as we do per gallon, so they drive diesels. Americans still think diesels are slow, they aren't anymore, and they are dirty, that is being fixed.

[overall]

donclark wrote;

Whatever happened to the 1.000 to 1,200 square foot bungalow or ranch house? Why aren't Americans buying and building more 4 cyclinder cars and trucks?

I have a 4 cylinder car, but I own a 2500 square foot house, a large part of that 2500 square feet houses my O gauge train layout.

George

[edblysard]

Lets see if I got this,
First, no one wants the goverment ot interfer with their lives, poke it's nose into their business, or raise their taxes.
Big brother is the bad guy, and everyone seems to be ready to condemn it for interfering with private enterprise.
Then everyone turns around, and demands the goverment somehow force the price of a consumable product down, and tax anyone using too much of that same product, or tax the buyer of the automobile, but dont tax the product itself?
In otherwords, you seem to be demanding the US Goverment fix a problem you helped create, but do so in such a manner as to not directly affect your lifestyle.

I know what, lets all cram ourselves into micro habitats, built on top of each other, like cubes.
We can all live in a cube village.

I am sure the 2 million people in Houston would love to all live in 1200 sq foot homes.

Get real, my ranch style small house was built in 1957, no insulation what so ever.
No A/C, unless you went with window units.

After two additions, and central heat and A/C, it comes in at a little over 2400 square feet, and with the addition of the insulation and attic blanket, the enegry cost(heating and cooling) is not much more that it was ten years ago.

Built and sold in 1957 for $18000.00.
Valued this year at $160,000.00.
But I should sell it and buy another 1200 sq foot cube?

Natural gas for hot water, home heat, cooking and drying clothes.
Want to cut your fuel cost, chunk your electric dryer, cook top and water heater in your heavy trash, and convert you home heat to natural gas.
Look at it like this,
you burn the natural gas to heat the water, to spin the turbine, to generate the electricity, to heat your home....
Duh, why not burn the natural gas to heat the home, and skip the other steps?

Buy the way, my wifes V8 Durango gets just as good gas mileage as my 4 cyl. Jeep.

But I guess we're just enegry hogs....

And, from Galena Park, Jacinto City, Pasadena and Houston, all the way to Texas City, every single refinery is running, all shifts, 24/7.

Get us the crude, we will make you the gas...

Ed