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Bus ridership explodes in the Hinterlands
More and more people are bussing it, and in places you wouldn't expect.
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Oil-rich Norway has most expensive petrol prices
"In Norway, many motorists are up in arms over why they have to pay the highest petrol (gasoline) prices in Europe when the country is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and a recent tax hike has done little to cool tempers.
"It is really strange: we have lots of oil and we're a rich country. Why do we have to pay so much?" asks Per-Arne Skjerpingstad, a 38-year-old hospital porter as he fills up the tank of his Peugeot 307 at an Oslo gas station for 750 kroner (94 euros, 148 dollars).
Diesel costs 14.23 kroner (1.78 euros, 2.82 dollars) a litre (quarter gallon) and 95 unleaded 13.84 kroner, putting it at the top of the European league, EU figures show.
And while many countries are discussing how to soften the blow of skyrocketing oil prices on consumers, Norway on July 1 increased its already heavy tax take by 0.05 kroner per litre on petrol and 0.10 kroner (0.1 euro cent, 0.2 dollar cent) on diesel.
Seven out of 10 Norwegians oppose the tax increase, according to a July poll by the daily VG.
"It's not the way to go. In a country like Norway, people need to have cars. I bought this car because I'm going to be a father soon," Skjerpingstad said.
Critics argue it is meaningless to increase taxation when oil prices have risen so much in the past months. And as the new tax increase is low, it won't significantly change drivers' behaviour."
More at the link. "In Norway, many motorists are up in arms over why they have to pay the highest petrol (gasoline) prices in Europe when the count... more -
Gas prices 'could rise 70%'
Consumer organisations attacked energy companies today for not doing enough to protect poorer people from the worst effects of spiralling gas prices .
The comments came after a report warned that gas prices could soar by up to 70% in the next two years and stay high. Annual gas bills could rise from around £600 a household to more than £1,000, according to the independent report commissioned by Centrica, which owns British Gas.
It said gas prices in the UK would be more strongly influenced by the soaring cost of oil, which has jumped above $140 a barrel this year - twice as high as a year ago. This is because declining output from the North Sea makes Britain more reliant on imports.
"The energy companies could do more to shield vulnerable people from the worst effects of rising energy prices," said Cassie Higgs, energy expert at the National Consumer Council. "An effective response would be for the companies to offer low-cost 'social' tariffs to vulnerable households, such as low-income families and elderly people. Some energy companies are doing well in this area, but others are offering schemes that are inadequate - often rationed and applied inconsistently."
Jake Ulrich, managing director of Centrica Energy, admitted that gas price rises were likely to lead to a "potentially significant" rise in the number of people in fuel poverty. He predicted that people would have to change their habits to deal with higher prices. "I do think we will see people change their behaviour," he said. "I think people will use less energy and I hate to go back to the Jimmy Carter days in the US but maybe it's two jumpers instead of one."
Energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog, called on the government to act to reduce the pressure on wholesale gas prices and force the industry to deliver affordable energy for the less well-off.
"The government is right to say that the link to oil is a cause of the problems but wrong to say there is nothing that can be done," said chief executive Allan Asher. "The local impact is so catastrophic it should be leading the international drive to end the hugely damaging and entirely unjustifiable link between the prices of gas and oil.
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said higher energy bills were hitting pensioners particularly hard. "Price rises on this scale would mean well over three million pensioner households - more than one in three - would be in fuel poverty," he said. "It is totally unacceptable that because of price hikes many older people may feel forced to cut back on their heating, which could put their health at risk." Consumer organisations attacked energy companies today for not doing enough to protect poorer people from the worst effects of spirall... more -
10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas
Putting a positive spin on escalating fuel costs, Time Magazine has a list of the ten best things abuot $4 a gallon gas.
Included in the list are four-day work weeks, less pollution and less obesity. Putting a positive spin on escalating fuel costs, Time Magazine has a list of the ten best things abuot $4 a gallon gas. ... more -
AMUSING VIDEO: RISING GAS PRICES!! MAN AND MACHINE
I'm hearing stories of people not wanting to fill up their cars with gas thanks to the high gas prices and then running out of gas. Here's a video of a large individual getting some unexpected exercise as his car ran out of gas. I'm hearing stories of people not wanting to fill up their cars with gas thanks to the high gas prices and then running out of ga... more
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Brothel entices Customers with Gas rebate
A Nevada brothel is trying to stimulate business by offering free gasoline.
Clients of the Shady Lady Ranch will get a $50 gas voucher if they fork out $300 -- worth about one hour's worth of services -- at the brothel in Beatty, Nevada, 130 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
Owner James Davis said he already has had to order another $1,000 set of gas vouchers because the first $1,000 were spent in one week.
"It's rocking along. We're doing quite well. June and July historically are not big months," said Davis, who is co-owner of the brothel along with his wife Bobbi, in a telephone interview.
The $50 rebate would roughly cover the cost of a round trip drive from Las Vegas to the ranch.
Davis said business at the ranch, which has been operating for 16 years, generally slows in the early summer. He said the brothel regularly offers specials to lure clients and his wife came up with the gas vouchers for this month.
U.S. gasoline prices hit a record $4.08 a gallon last week, up 38 percent from a year ago.
Brothels, illegal in most U.S. states, are legal in parts of Nevada. A Nevada brothel is trying to stimulate business by offering free gasoline. ... more -
Author Larry Nocella comment: Big Air vs. Big Oil
Big Air vs. Big Oil
I once read a theory on why animal attacked by a predator screams. I can't remember the source or I would quote it, but the question posed was, what basis is there for expending energy to scream when all your strength should be concentrated on struggling to get away? The answer speculated upon was that the screaming could be a way of attracting other predators. This will cause the two predators to fight over the potential food, giving the screaming animal time to escape.
In short, there's no way a prey animal can win in a one on one fight versus a predator. The prey has to get the predators to fight each other in order to survive. Stretching that analogy further explains in my mind why the Enron scandal blew up into such a big deal.
Rich corporations (predators) have been attacking their workers (prey) for years and it's never been worth commenting on to the wealthy media and political species. However, the criminals at Enron were so greedy, they didn't just steal from the workers, they even ended up stealing from the rich people who invested in them. That's what led to the outrage from the media, the government, etc. Poor people can be (and are) trampled in bulk every day in human history and it doesn't merit a news story, but when the rich get screwed by one of their own, now that's an injustice.
So I was very excited when I opened my email this morning and found a letter from twelve Airline CEOs demanding more regulation of oil speculation. Summarized: oil speculation is the trading that occurs prior to the oil being sold to someone who is actually going to use it. Each time the oil is traded, it becomes more expensive. Without much regulation, that trading prior to someone using the oil can occur enough to drive the oil prices sky high, before anyone who is actually going to use the oil buys it. Imagine that! One industry calling for regulation of another! Awesome.
So years and years of the average consumer screaming about petrol prices has resulted in... nothing. But now that a fellow predator (Big Air is slimy) is attacking another predator (Big Oil is the slimiest) we can expect to see some change. So it is in the USA, where corporations rule too much.
Visit the site and stick it to Big Oil. Big Air is a bunch of jerks, too, but NO ONE is worse than Big Oil.
Go to http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/
Larry Nocella is the author of the novel, Where Did This Come From? available on Amazon.com.
http://www.larrynocella.com/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1425713815?tag=larrnoce-20&... Big Air vs. Big Oil ... more -
Run Your Car on Water
Can water really power a car. According to this site, with their easy $150 do-it-yourself conversion kit, any conventional gas vehicle can run on a mix of gasoline and tap water, thus cutting petrol use nearly in half. While I'm sure with fuel prices as high as there are we can expect a never ending stream of suspect fuel and money saving schemes to confuse consumers, and despie the somewhat chintzy web design, here is the video pitch. Can water really power a car. According to this site, with their easy $150 do-it-yourself conversion kit, any conventional gas vehicl... more
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Prostitute has sex for gas card
Our economy is in such a state that women are actually having sex in exchange for gasoline. Wow... But since a gallon of gas here where I live (NYC) is creeping up towards $5.00 it is nice to know it is an option. KIDDING but you get my drift. We need more bike lanes! Our economy is in such a state that women are actually having sex in exchange for gasoline. Wow... But since a gallon of gas here wher... more
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Attorney General Launches Gas Price Inquiry others Should Follow Suit
In Louisville, KY finally the gouging has gone too far. The attorney general formally putting the oil companies and gas prices in the the cross hairs. They will be investigating the WHY factor that most pass by when gas prices fluctuate radically. Go Louisville!!! In Louisville, KY finally the gouging has gone too far. The attorney general formally putting the oil companies and gas prices in the ... more
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Group Asks for Divine Intervention to Ease Oil Prices
Some American drivers are becoming so desperate at the increasing price of gas that they are turning to God.
The Pray at the Pump Movement has been holding vigils at gas stations across the country. Some American drivers are becoming so desperate at the increasing price of gas that they are turning to God. ... more -
Experts find key to saving fuel: say gallons per mile
"The reality that few people appreciate is that improving fuel efficiency from 10 to 20mpg is actually a more significant saving than improving from 25mpg to 50mpg for the same distance of driving..." "The reality that few people appreciate is that improving fuel efficiency from 10 to 20mpg is actually a more significant saving ... more
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All together now: "Olympics! Add petrol! China! Add petrol!"
China has issued official instructions on how to cheer at the Olympic Games - accompanied by illustrations. A cartoon issued to provide extra guidance on top of the "Olympic cheering practice" sessions that have been held for workers around Beijing for the last year shows a young girl in the approved postures.
She chants "Aoyun! Jia You! Zhongguo! Jia You!" - meaning "Olympics! Add petrol! China! Add petrol!" China has issued official instructions on how to cheer at the Olympic Games - accompanied by illustrations. A cartoon issued to provid... more -
Get ready for $5 a gallon gas?
The price of oil soared today to over $130 a barrel. It's not like the oil companies are going to eat the cost, but rather pass it along to you and I, which is what always happens. As oil prices go up for producers, and the summer season kicks into high gear, get ready for today's prices to seem low in about 6 weeks from now. Could we see $5 a gallon? Why not.
Check out more at the associated link. The price of oil soared today to over $130 a barrel. It's not like the oil companies are going to eat the cost, but rather pass ... more -
This is not an economic slowdown ... this is a shift in the world economy
Higher gasoline prices represent "a structural change, not just a cyclical change," Wagoner said.
"It is, by and large, permanent." Higher gasoline prices represent "a structural change, not just a cyclical change," Wagoner said. ... more -
Malaysia fuel ban
Malaysia started enforcing a ban on gasoline sales to foreign-registered vehicles near the Thai border Monday, causing some stations' business to trickle nearly to a halt.
Government officers were deployed at stations in northern states to monitor the ban, which is meant to help tackle the problem of soaring subsidies that keep Malaysia's retail prices at nearly half of those in Thailand.
Thousands of Thais and Singaporeans drive into Malaysia every day to fill their tanks and take advantage of lower prices due to the subsidies, which were expected to cost the government 45 billion ringgit (US$14 billion; €9 billion) this year.
Abdul Wahid Bidin, acting president of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia, said 90 percent of the usual customers of some fuel stations near the border were from Thailand.
"There are complaints from the dealers that they've got no business, no customers at all," Abdul Wahid said, expressing hope the ban will be lifted soon.
Government authorities have indicated the ban will be a temporary measure until they revise the current subsidy system to help low-income Malaysians and to prevent waste or abuse of the system.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Sunday that the ban would be postponed for 300 stations within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of Malaysia's borders with Thailand and Singapore, but local media clarified Monday that the delay was only for the southern state of Johor near Singapore.
Regular gasoline in Malaysia costs 1.92 ringgit (US$0.61; €0.40) a liter, or 7.27 ringgit (US$2.34; €1.52) a gallon. Thailand sells regular gasoline at 31.59 baht ($1.01; €0.73) a liter, or 120 baht (US$3.87; €2.51) per gallon.
Alang Zari Ishak, president of oil company Esso Malaysia's dealers association, said the ban affected about 100 gasoline stations in the north near Thailand.
"The implications will be quite severe," he said, adding that a system in which foreigners pay higher prices — instead of being completely barred from buying fuel — would be better. Malaysia started enforcing a ban on gasoline sales to foreign-registered vehicles near the Thai border Monday, causing some stations&#... more -
Drill here. Drill now. Pay less.
This advocates making more holes in the earth to pull out more oil ... When will people learn this is a substance that is finite and regardless of how much we can dig up it will eventually dry up? We need an economic, technological and social change to move to infinite energy sources. This advocates making more holes in the earth to pull out more oil ... When will people learn this is a substance that is finite and r... more
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Why has oil become so expensive?
Great article, everything you wanted to know about oil but were afraid to ask!
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Oil prices to be probed by US regulator CFTC
Well, it's about time!
"America's leading commodities regulator has launched an unprecedented investigation into possible market manipulation in the US crude oil market amid record prices which continue to cripple various parts of the global economy. The Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC), working closely with other international regulators including the Financial Services Authority in the UK, has begun a series of detailed inquiries over concerns that energy speculators are behind the rising oil price.
In a detailed statement, the CFTC admitted for the first time that it began its investigation in December, taking what it called the "extraordinary step" of disclosing the probe "because of today's unprecedented market conditions".
The CFTC declined to discuss the specifics of the investigation, but stressed that all of its enforcement inquiries were focused on "ensuring that the markets are properly policed for manipulation and abusive practices"."
By James Quinn, Wall Street correspondent Well, it's about time! ... more -
Darling might save us 2p a litre after all
The chancellor, Alistair Darling, today promised to review plans to introduce a 2p increase in fuel duty in response to rising energy costs.
The tax hike has already been deferred by six months until October, when Darling said he would reconsider it.
"I will return to the issue nearer the time - I will take into account what is happening in the oil market and see what is best to help out families and businesses. I fully intend to come back to that before October," he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One.
He added: "The big effort must be to get world oil prices down, and I intend to come back to the fuel tax increase - I am aware people are worried about this.
"I am determined to keep the stability of our finances as level as it has been over the past 11 years."
Tax experts said that extra North Sea oil taxes and VAT fuel receipts meant that the Treasury could afford the £550m cost of delaying the 2p increase by a further six months until next spring.
However, speaking after a meeting with oil industry chiefs, Darling appeared to calm speculation about a U-turn on a £200 increase in vehicle excise duty.
"This does not fully come in until 2010 … if you look at the costs people face today, what people are extremely concerned about is what they pay for petrol and diesel at the pump," he said.
Downing Street also sought today to play down hints of a u-turn on vehicle excise duty, saying the prime minister would not retreat from his green agenda.
The prime minister's spokesman said the "key issue" was high oil prices globally.
"Of course we understand the concerns consumers face, but we also need to take into account the need to ensure economic stability, to fund public services and to promote energy efficiency," he added.
Cabinet ministers appeared to pave the way yesterday for a change to vehicle excise duty, which will hit older more polluting cars bought in the last seven years.
John Hutton, the business secretary, said the government had to be careful to avoid "hammering people", while Jack Straw, the justice secretary, held out the possibility of a change when the chancellor delivers his pre-budget report in the autumn. The chancellor, Alistair Darling, today promised to review plans to introduce a 2p increase in fuel duty in response to rising energy ... more
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