Posted on 03/27/2015 8:05:48 AM PDT by fruser1
Average fuel consumption by American drivers is at its lowest level in at least 30 years, says a University of Michigan researcher...
"Despite population growth of 8 percent, the absolute amount of fuel consumed by light-duty vehicles decreased by 11 percent during the period 2004—the year of maximum consumption—through 2013," said Sivak, a research professor at UMTRI and director of the Sustainable Worldwide Transportation research consortium...
Sivak said that although economic factors likely contributed to declining rates of vehicle ownership and distance driven, other societal changes such as increased telecommuting, use of public transportation and urbanization of the population, along with changes in the age composition of drivers, have influenced the need for personal transportation...
(Excerpt) Read more at umtri.umich.edu ...
I don't know what the percentage of those using public trans or telecommute is. Not specified in article
On a tangential subject, when the cops come out and say that things like the amount of DWIs/accidents/speeding are down, and try to credit systems like roadblocks or automated traffic enforcement, don't buy it. They always seem to report the totals, not per capita, when they want to justify some sort of soft-tyranny.
The CDC is working to lower the BAC standard to 0.05% (from a nationally enforced 0.08%). The roadblocks won’t be going away anytime soon.
is this part of why gas prices have dropped? Decreased demand???
Along with our development of our oil fields in places like North Dakota, which increases our supply.
Off topic, but Obama claims credit for increased oil production in North Dakota, but none of that is happening on federal land, or due to any actions he has taken as president. It’s all due to the private sector and the state of North Dakota paving the way for developing their oil resources, not due to anything Obama has done.
Kind of tracks with the “labor participation rate,” doesn’t it?
Everyone Is Guessing When It Comes To Oil Prices
http://oilprice.com/Energy/Oil-Prices/Everyone-Is-Guessing-When-It-Comes-To-Oil-Prices.html
“A new metric that has popped up in recent weeks is the level of available storage. Excess oil has been stashed in storage tanks around the world, but government data suggests that storage space is starting to run low. The EIA says that about 60 percent of total U.S. storage is filled, a jump from 48 percent a year ago. Regional figures are higher, for say, the East Coast (85 percent). Oil storage is at its highest level in 80 years, and storage at the all-important hub in Cushing, Oklahoma could begin to run out of space this spring. Globally, the picture isn’t any better – Citigroup says Europe is at 90 percent, while South Korea, South Africa, and Japan may all be nearing 80 percent. The growing shortage of places to put oil has led to the creation of an oil-storage futures contract by CME Group. As storage begins to run out, the glut could worsen, sending prices way down.”
I don’t drive a lot these days. I’m just conservative with my gas usage.
Yes. The supply curve is currently chasing the demand curve.
The U.S. Has Too Much Oil and Nowhere to Put It
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-12/oil-storage-squeeze-may-lead-to-another-price-crash
Then raise taxes!
</lib speak>
“lower the BAC standard to 0.05%”
Yep, all part of the govt “penalty racket”.
Nab folks for having a single glass of wine w/dinner and they get to pay hundreds for that “blow-lock” ignition on top of the hefty fine.
“is this part of why gas prices have dropped? “
Many factors contribute to the price. Below is a quick link if you want to read up a bit:
http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=gasoline_factors_affecting_prices
In Utah there have been proposals to require blow-lock ignition systems on all cars.
I’ve heard their BAC 0.03 (or some want it there). It is 0.01 in Sweden.
I read in USAToday “Republicans talked a lot about drill baby drill but Obama made it happen”
Sadly by election day 2016 at least half of voters will believe it.
anecdotal..
On 3/17 I paid 2.29. Today it’s @ 2.89 -in Illinois
While just a small part of the drop, electric vehicles are growing in popularity. They’re really proliferating around Atlanta (I see about 1 per minute when driving).
This really shows the truth about how this country is prospering and growing !!! NOT!
There might be more info in the actual report as opposed to the article, concerning the degree to which contributors factor in.
Based on straight population numbers (1985 = 238mil / 2014 = 318mil), we have the same consumption even though the population increased by a third. (Article says consumption lowest is mid eighties).
That is so pathetic considering Obama (and probably USA today) mocked the pro-drilling crowd.
I totally agree.
It happened despite their obvious opposition.
But the journ-0-lists will give them credit for it if we have $2 gas at election time.
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