That's a great article (No, I have not read all of it yet). The modern concept of environmental law is not really what I was getting at - but it's another very interesting topic I like to talk about. I am wrapping up my M.S. in Environmental Management this week - and environmental regulation/policy is by far the most interesting and complicated coursework/study I have been involved in. FWIW, I'd argue that the acceptable release strategy is a workable model. The trick is in understanding how to lower the release levels as production capacity increases.
The United States has a long history of influencing economic policy through tax legislation. All we would have to do is make it more advantageous for energy companies to develop alternative renewable energy than burning off our remaining fossil fuels and you'd have a great paradigm shift. The taxes on profits help pay down the deficit, setting up incentives to avoid taxes and allowing profits in renewables jumpstarts a new industry, if energy prices get high enough people will get interested in efficiency, we reduce the funding of Islamic militants and autocrats and we reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hurt a little now, or hurt a lot later. And, Richard Nixon instituted price controls. He was hardly a anti-free marketeer.
Could not have said it better. Instead, we're blowing trillions in Iraq while Bush advocates increased drilling. Dubious for president.
This is from March, but I'd bet it's pretty similar right now. I can go to a CITGO station and I really don't know who produced the gasoline that's going into it, you're absolutely right. I could be buying gasoline from ExxonMobil indirectly. But, likewise, if I take out a loan from Washington Mutual, I don't know where that money came from. I could be taking a loan from Citi indirectly. It's really not that dissimilar.
what are you ranting about? you act like the whole pricing of energy is a scam. did you know that refiners are getting killed by your bogus price of energy theory because they have to pay for expensive oil? were you complaining years ago when oil was absurdly low? were prices bs then too? the cost is what the market is willing to pay for it. and again...it isn't just supply and demand. the weak dollar is a major factor.
no no no. It's a conspiracy!!!!! I want to drive my SUV for a bajillion miles at 30c a gallon!!! The oil companies are big meanies! wah wah wah!
no kidding. i also get really annoyed when the presidential candidates NEVER mention the impact the weak dollar has on commodity prices. do they even understand how it works? i honestly don't think they do.
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There are alternatives, don't have to pay for gas; ride a bike or catch a bus if $3.50 gas is that bad. I didn't see goverment comming in and trying to help the oil compaines when oil was $30.00 a barrell. I'm sure Exxon was gouging that $1.15a gallon gas 7 years ago.
Whats wrong with advocating drilling? With gas prices as high as they are, drilling more is a viable solution, as is more refinaries. Its a fact that we haven't built a refinary in 30 years. If there we more cost effective and profitable solutions, people would be doing those. Companies drill for oil because they are good at doing it and its profitable.
We could easily bring down the prices of gas at the pump. All we have to do is start nuking places like India and China. That will ease up the global demand. The sad fact is that big oil's margins are better outside of the US, so as much as you might like to tax their profits into oblivion, they can just take their ball and go home (if not home, at least elsewhere). High gas prices put the hurt on everyone in many ways, but if you truly want a greener future with less dependence on fossil fuels, nothing can push that agenda better than high prices at the pump.
The high price of gasoline hurts. Some people more than others. But in the long run, won't the price of gas be the catalyst for the development of new technology? (Edit: Its almost like I am repeating the post before mine) There were electric cars produced by Honda and Toyota 10 years ago. But gas was $1 per gallon. There wasn't enough demand for those cars, and they are no longer in production. Now, more people would turn to an alternative energy source for their cars, and they are being developed. Sure, there are roadblocks and obstacles, but there is a larger demand now because of the price of gas.
If margins are so slim, how come this guy got a $398 million dollar retirement package? You know he's just going to blow it on hookers and beer, that's not helping the economy or our energy future.
Gas costs 5 bucks to get out of the ground. Exxon was making money when it was 30 bucks/gal. They are just making a lot more now.
I wish gas was $3.04/gallon Sad now that gas is $3.60 in my area. I remember 2 years ago when $2.60 could cause outrage.
Because a more effective long-term solution would be to invest money into alternatives. See Dubious' post.
