What’s American’s energy IQ?

Boca Raton News ^ | August 12, 2007 | John Johnston

[roballen]

News Analysis

What’s America’s energy IQ?

“Not as high as it should be,” Dr. John Felmy told the Boca Raton News. “In fact, we were very surprised at how much confusion and misinformation was revealed by the survey.”

There’s been a survey? What survey?

Dr. Felmy smiles – the smile of a man who’s warming to his subject.

The survey, conducted for the American Petroleum Institute (API) by well-known public opinion surveyors, Harris Interactive, shows that “most U.S. adults have a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding energy demand and supplies and the role of America's oil and natural gas companies,” said Dr. Felmy, API’s chief economist.

In fact, when presented with 20 multiple-choice questions, on average more than 25 percent of respondents said they were "not sure," and in many cases people “chose the response that is farthest from the correct answer,” said Felmy.

"Americans are concerned about energy issues, but they know very little about where energy comes from, what it takes to get it to market and the challenges the energy industry faces to meet growing demand," said Jim Hoskins, Ph.D., senior vice president for Harris Interactive, which conducted the survey. "This survey shows that when it comes to important energy questions, the public is not just uninformed, they are misinformed.”

"The results of this survey clearly show that we need to do a better job of communicating with people about the realities of global energy markets and our industry," said Red Cavaney, API’s president and CEO. ”Our companies are committed to sharing our perspectives on energy issues with policymakers and the public, in the hope that by increasing understanding we all can work together to enact policies that ensure a reliable, sustainable energy future now and for generations to come.”

[roballen]

Is it any wonder why people are so ignorant of the facts when all they know about the oil companies is the demonization of them by the press and democrats. Since so few people care enough to learn about how things actually work, they believe what they are told, and that's what the media and democrats want- an ignorant and angry population. They're easier to control that way.

[toomuchcoffee]

I have taken a sacred vow to always maintain a smaller carbon footprint than Algore.

[Tenacious 1]

I have taken a sacred vow to always maintain a smaller carbon footprint than Algore.

I don't suspect that you have ever been accused of being an over achiever?

[wastedyears]

Your entire home is probably less than one of Algore’s rooms.

[Bob]

PS: Felmy also provided the recent average costs for a gallon of gasoline in Europe, as follows: As of July 30, 2007, the average cost per gallon in Belgium, $6.84; France, $6.67; Germany, $6.95; Italy, $6.99; Netherlands, 7.58; United Kingdom, $7.38 – and the United States, $3.10.

And just how much of that cost per gallon in those countries is attributable to taxes rather than the actual cost of the gasoline? I've read that gasoline is taxed much more heavily in Europe than it is here but I have no direct knowledge of how high the taxes are.

[eyedigress]

That is very enviro-conscious of you. Keep up the good work. :^)

[Red Badger]

I guess we need Algore to enlighten us...........of course for a fee.........

[gridlock]

I have taken a sacred vow to always maintain a smaller carbon footprint than Algore.

Your ideas are intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter

[woofer]

why people are so ignorant of the facts when all they know about the oil companies is the demonization of them by the press and democrats

All I know is Exxon, Conoco and Chevron are on time with the dividend checks every quarter. Its a good thing.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

I've read that gasoline is taxed much more heavily in Europe than it is here but I have no direct knowledge of how high the taxes are.

Belgium,France,Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the UK pay the same per barrel that American companies pay, ie, Platts. Because of the strength of the Euro they are actually paying less. Refining cost are pretty much the same. So to answer your question, about 50% of the retail price of gasoline in Europe goes for free healthcare.

[SAJ]

The wholesale price of gasoline is a world-wide price, with the only difference being transport differentials and local consideration (such as the bouique blend required by Calbania).

Spot (cash wholesale) RBOB gasoline, basis NY Harbor, is $1.9972 as I write this. I'll give you MAYBE 10-15 cents for distribution. Anything above that is tax of one sort or another.

You do the math; Wonderland's (that would be the EU, for those in Rio Linda) taxes are outright confiscatory. Any time you see some political jerk saying, ''Gasoline is much more expensive in Europe than in the US.'', there's only one possible reply (well, aside from ''You're a moron.''):

''No, government is much more expensive in Europe than in the US.''

[mtbopfuyn]

“Mass transit works in certain areas, but only in certain areas,” Felmy said, and then added emphatically. “And it doesn’t work with daycare – it just doesn’t work.”

Mass transit doesn't work in probably 90% of the nation. We had a German exchange student who was amazed how far apart everything in Texas was. It's not just an easy hop on the city bus and you're there in a few minutes. This mom-mobile makes three 40 mile round trips every day to school and that's with having the kids hang out and wait.

[rabscuttle385]

...shows that “most U.S. adults have a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding energy demand and supplies and the role of America's oil and natural gas companies,” said Dr. Felmy, API’s chief economist.

Americans lack knowledge and understanding of basic free market economics vs. Socialist government economics.

[Seruzawa]

Aw, c’mon. It’s easy. Gas comes from a magic pump just like eggs come from crates and milk appears in the cooler at the grocery store. Sheesh.

[Publius6961]

Has anyone managed to find the actual survey questions and [incorrect] answers?

[FreedomPoster]

I’ve looked around the API site a little, and couldn’t find it.

[q_an_a]

First there are so many fundamentally wrong reasons for even using these numbers. 1st size of the country has something to do with gas use and costs. Italy is the size of AZ and has a 4000 year they need to live. Not so in AZ. This same story could be told about almost every nation in Europe, Japan or the middle east. 2nd - We drive farther to get milk and to go boating on our lakes than most people travel for anything except a vacation. We are builders whith huge highways -while they have people driving on highways we would consider farm roads. Many places on the famed AutoStrada in Italy are fast two lane roads. Take a look at the majority of BBC movies and you see the folks in England and Ireland driving on what is little more than a one land road.

Finally, the taxes are high and they keep them high to keep people out of cars to keep their need for building roads down AND to pay for their social programs.

As for the oil and gas people, they are the no better than GM or Ford when it comes to marketing their ideas. The oil companies marketing has not caused anyone to think well of them and to back them in their search for new leases or drilling locations. If 7-11 hadn't started selling gas, the average gas station would still look like a place with four pumps and an oil changing area. IDIOTS. /rant off