Gas prices

[N_Jay]

Who cares and why?

Which is better; Energy independence or low cost energy?

Which is worse; Lower average cost of energy (with lots of ups and downs), or lower volatility (even if the average cost is higher)?

[dgipalo]

Well, I took my own step for energy independence - halved the nominal consumption by (still trying to sell) the Pilot, and replacing it by the Camry hybrid. Do occasionally miss the cargo room - but I do love filling up every 600 miles instead of every 300, with a bit less fuel purchased/fill-up.

That said - price volatility, like volatility in other market areas, tends to make for difficult planning. In the times of cheap fuel, a roomy, comfortable, but gas-thirsty vehicle can seem like a good idea. It becomes much less so when prices and availability become uncertain. Also makes things like resale values dicey - the number of buyers that really need the product as opposed to merely want it is notably smaller.

My personal preference would be for cheap, stable fuel prices.

Like world peace, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

[jay]

Don't Feed the Animals!

The Current Events Forum, which this should be moved to, is closed.

[krygny]

Originally posted by jay
Don't Feed the Animals!: D

The Current Events Forum, which this should be moved to, is closed.

Why was the forum closed? I didn't contribute to it or even read it all that much but was there something egregious?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by krygny

Why was the forum closed? I didn't contribute to it or even read it all that much but was there something egregious?

Yes, it seems it was an egregious assault on the sensibilities of the moderators.

[colorider]

Originally posted by N_Jay
Who cares and why?

Which is better; Energy independence or low cost energy?

Which is worse; Lower average cost of energy (with lots of ups and downs), or lower volatility (even if the average cost is higher)?

I care because I'm on a fixed income and would really like to enjoy my "golden years".

It would be nice if we could have both, but IMO energy independence is more important.

I think with energy independence, lower volatility will follow.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by colorider


I care because I'm on a fixed income and would really like to enjoy my "golden years".

It would be nice if we could have both, but IMO energy independence is more important.

I think with energy independence, lower volatility will follow.

So you would rather pay more to use our oil now, rather then save it for later?

[mainerunr]

Originally posted by N_Jay


So you would rather pay more to use our oil now, rather then save it for later?

I'd rather use theirs now, use ours later (realizing that we get more oil from canada than the middle east, I'd still rather use theirs first).

And at the same time, I think we need to be finding viable alternatives (ethanol not currently falling into that category in my opinion)

[switch]

If possible, I think I'd rather save oil for uses other than heating or transportation.

Watch the documentary "A Crude Awakening". It paints a very good picture of how much dependency we have on oil for almost everything we manufacture (and do). It also gives some good insight into OPEC, as well as how alternative sources of energy will be require a lot of "will" to implement.

In the meantime, I'm going to look into doing some exploration for dilithium crystals.