That's what I paid for gas today. During the summer I cut back my travel as much as I could. I grouped errands onto two days a week, rather than running out every day. I let the car sit as much as possible because gas was at least $3.199. I drove slower, and took my time accelerating. I did everything I could think of, short of not using the car, to cut back on our gas bills.
It pains me that the oil companies raise the costs like that during the summer. I know we are a free market society. I understand the concept of supply and demand. I suspect that I'm not the only person who cut back on their driving, and it had to have an effect on the number of gallons sold this summer. Perhaps that kept us from having $4.00 a gallon gas, or more. At least, I hope it did.
If it weren't for our exercise class, and the occasional fabric shopping trip, and going out to dinner, I believe that I could live a hermit's live. I could shop once a month (I think), and stay put at home. I'd miss the contact with people, but I'd keep in touch with my friends via phone and computer.
I was delighted to hear that Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Airlines, has pledged a BILLION dollars in alternative energy research through the end of this decade. I know that he hopes to fuel his airplane fleet with a new energy source, and that he believes that cars and trucks will be able to use it too. I also understand that he will make a lot of money off this new product. That's okay, as long as we break the hold that petroleum has over us, and we work on cleaning up the Earth.
There have to be a lot of innovative people working on this problem. Why aren't we hearing more about their work?
Comments (7)
That is good news.
Posted by janet | September 21, 2006 9:30 PM
Posted on September 21, 2006 21:30
Perhaps we don't hear about it because we insist that good news is boring. We remember reading/hearing/seeing about the gorey/seamy side of life; but, news about research gets a yawn.
I paid $2.149 for regular gas Wednesday (including the .02/gallon discount from the frequent shopper card). Gasoline was posted as $.02/gallon cheaper, Thursday. I'm wondering if it is state/county/municipal taxes that make your fuel higher (in addition to the formulation requirements that you mentioned.)
Posted by Cop Car | September 22, 2006 3:25 AM
Posted on September 22, 2006 03:25
I paid $2.31 in Hillsboro yesteday - it's at $2.29 today. However, most places that I pass on the way to work are 10 cent more per gallon (or more).
Posted by bogie | September 23, 2006 2:31 PM
Posted on September 23, 2006 14:31
HURT ME, Cop Car!
Yes, I'm sure that Chicago area taxes play a part in the cost. The web of interstate roads around Chicago are a major east-west route across the US, so we pick up more than just local traffic, and have a lot of road repair due to heavier truck traffic. I'm sure that we subsidize those costs with our gas taxes. As you pointed out, the price drops the further west you go from Chicago.
Last night we saw a station that had gas for $2.499, and I think that's about the best I've seen. It's possible that price was in conjunction with a car wash, but it wasn't presented on the corner sign that way. If I had gotten to the pump and found the price was higher than advertized, I would have demanded the advertized price.
Posted by buffy | September 23, 2006 4:07 PM
Posted on September 23, 2006 16:07
Buffy--If I really wanted to hurt you, I'd let you know that we are now down to $2.079/gallon (with discount applied).
P.S. You were correct that, with practice, I am getting a little better at the quilting in-the-ditch (and otherwise). Thank goodness!
Posted by Cop Car | September 24, 2006 3:14 PM
Posted on September 24, 2006 15:14
Jeeeeze.
Yeah....I knew that if you could stick with it, you'd find it got easier.
I spent this weekend cutting out the fabric for more Halloween quilt blocks. I have about nine of them pieced. I keep veering toward "pretty" rather than "wild." I may end up with a table runner and a wall quilt, rather than a larger quilt.
Posted by buffy | September 24, 2006 10:37 PM
Posted on September 24, 2006 22:37
There's nothing wrong with table runners and wall quilts. I'm anxious to see your results!
Posted by Cop Car | September 25, 2006 7:07 PM
Posted on September 25, 2006 19:07