Don't Expect Gas Price Relief, Energy Dept. Says.

[Johnboy60]

With pump prices flirting with $3 a gallon in many parts of the country, the Energy Department is telling motorists to get used to it.

Undersecretary David Garman said there's little that can be done in the short term, made worse by what he calls "thin capacity margins."

Garman said prices will not decline quickly, even though there may be some moderating after the summer driving season.

http://www.kirotv.com/automotive/4856975/detail.html

 

[allieisme]

I can only hope and pray gas prices go down.. I think they are up to 2.65 or somewheres around there

 

[ClaireZ]

Over 2.75 here. And I would guess in the long term we are going higher.

 

[allieisme]

That is just so ridiculous..
I remember last year when they sky rocketed here, then for some reason jumped way down, we thought we were getting a screamin deal... I think it might have been around $2.
It costs like $60 to fill up my gas tank

 

[Trogdor the Burninator]

$4.50 a gallon over here. Don't worry - even when it hits $3 per gallon - you'll live.....

 

[Moros]

Wasn't a big deal made a while back about Bush practically begging at the Saudi's feet for more/cheaper gas? And didn't they grant his request?

Petrol is something like $3 a liter in Europe. Americans are spoiled. Drive smaller cars.

 

[ClaireZ]

I agree that Americans are spoiled, and that we should be driving smaller cars, and should try to drive less.

However, the price is changing so fast here, and people are not prepared for these changes. Many areas have no public transportation. Most people have more debt than they can afford. They live paycheck to paycheck. These people are going to be in serious trouble with this rapid rise in oil prices, especially this winter when the heating bills start to hit.

I guess all but the rich and upper middle class will have to learn to live alot cheaper.

 

[theeyesoftammyfaye]

you all have to realise though, that driving smaller cars really isn't an option for some of us. for example, my father has a range rover (which gets terrible gas mileage), but it can almost decently fit all of us (for extremely long drives, it can feel a bit close-quartered.) my brother and i are both 6'3, my dad's pretty tall himself...and don't forget my mother and my sister. so, when the family wants to go out to dinner, for example, we couldn't all fit into a geo metro or even honda accord...it's absolutely not practical. what is our other option? drive two cars?

i, myself, drive a honda accord...and i have to have the driver's seat pushed all the way back, and the moonroof cover inside pulled back so i can "fit." i don't get NEAR the gas mileage promised when i bought my car...and please note, my car is considered "midsized" ... and i barely fit. so please realise that not everyone is 5'7 and can fit in a geo metro....there are those of us who HAVE to drive bigger cars because we are BIGGER.

 

[allieisme]

Although smaller cars would be more practical to some, others have big families and need a bigger vehicle.

 

[BarbB]

$2.58 in Central Florida so I'm going to cave in and fill up before it hits $2.75!

 

[billwald]

Why should retailers sell gas for less than people are willing to pay? No one knows what an American is willing to pay. I suspect retail sales will drop when it gets over $4/gal.

The real shock will be this fall to people who heat with oil. Heating oil is mostly #1 Diesel.

 

[Chuck_Darwin]

I don't like the gasoline prices but I think it is a good thing. It will force us to look more closely at our comsumption.

What really burns me is the Tax breaks that the current energy bill has in it for the gas and oil companies. They are having record profits and yet they are getting billions in tax breaks. That makes no sense at all. I thought this was a free market? Gas and Oil companies do not need subsidies from the tax payers.

 

[nigits]

Petrol is something like $3 a liter in Europe

Yeah, but isn't that mostly taxes? Taxes which pay for social programs such as health care?

 

[SpaceProg]

Also, driving is more of a luxury in Europe than the US. In Europe there are many more ways of getting around via mass transit. The mass transit systems in the US are horrible by comparison. Most people need a vehicle. It's even asked on job applications whether or not you have reliable transportation to get to work. I don't drive a boat of a car (I drive a Daewoo Leganza. It's good on gas too), but still It's more expensive to fill up than I'd like right now.

I agree, we're spoiled, but not quite as much as what I thing some Europeans believe. When you don't have a decent mass transit system and you can't afford to live right inside a town or city, then you really start to feel it when gas prices go up even to 2.50/Gallon.

 

[rosenherman]

Wasn't a big deal made a while back about Bush practically begging at the Saudi's feet for more/cheaper gas? And didn't they grant his request?

Petrol is something like $3 a liter in Europe. Americans are spoiled. Drive smaller cars.

America's a bigger country, we've got more places to go.

 

[interpreter]

I don't like the gasoline prices but I think it is a good thing. It will force us to look more closely at our comsumption.

Amen, brother. High gas prices don't bother me cause i don't own a car.

If the high gas prices result in less gas guzzlers on the road (and less greenhouse gasses) it is a very good development that may save the earth!

 

[Trogdor the Burninator]

America's a bigger country, we've got more places to go.

Well, Australia’s just as big as the US ( not counting Alaska ), and we somehow manage to survive without the massive SUVs and pickups that Americans "need".

 

[TheBear]

What are these gas prices like, compared with 1985 constant dollar value?

 

[OhhJim]

Well, Australia’s just as big as the US ( not counting Alaska ), and we somehow manage to survive without the massive SUVs and pickups that Americans "need".

Yeah, many Americans have somehow convinced themselves that they can't live without a gas-guzzling SUV, and it's their God-given right to buy cheap gas. Like they have to have an auto that seats eight for their two kids!

I'm almost enjoying the gas prices. Serves 'em right for blocking my line of sight with their huge car! And not being able to park!

There are alternatives, but people won't find them until they are forced to. Then they will find that living in a smaller home closer to work isn't so bad, or riding a bike is healthy, or public transportation has its advantages, or carpooling can be social, etc.

 

[Yamialpha]

Yeah, many Americans have somehow convinced themselves that they can't live without a gas-guzzling SUV, and it's their God-given right to buy cheap gas. Like they have to have an auto that seats eight for their two kids!

Hey with the size of American kids today...