Posted on 02/20/2012 4:56:01 AM PST by tobyhill
President Obama's re-elect team defended White House energy policy on Sunday as gas prices shoot toward the $4 mark and beyond, a level that could devastate voters' pocketbooks as well as Obama's chances for a second term.
Nationally, gas prices are $3.53 a gallon, up 25 cents since Jan. 1, and likely headed to $4.25 a gallon by late April. Republicans have demanded more oil production at home, as well as building the Keystone XL pipeline across the middle of the U.S. to allow oil from Canada to reach Texas refineries.
Obama rejected the plan, but one of his spokesmen, Robert Gibbs, said the president is looking to increase domestic energy production.
"Just on Friday, the Department of Interior issued permits that will expand our exploration in the Arctic. The president has increased our fuel efficiency and energy efficiency standards so we do use less energy, which will help drive down the price," Gibbs said. "Our domestic oil production is at an eight-year high, and our use of foreign oil is at a 16-year low. So we're making progress."
But John Hofmeister, former CEO of Shell Oil and founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told Fox News that oil production today is only 7 million barrels per day when it used to be 10 million per day.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I saw premium gas over $4/ gal yesterday in upper NY state. A fill up of ~13 gals costs me around $47+ . It is motorcycle time.
“Are you aware that about half the refining capacity in the Northeast will be ending some time in the next year or so.”
___________________________________________________________
How so? Why?
“It is motorcycle time.”
Damn straight. It’s ALL over $4 around here now. Can’t wait for the weather to warm up a bit, so I can ride without freezing my butt off.
“...half the refining capacity in the Northeast will be ending some time in the next year or so.”
...tell me more please.
Some math, based on these assumptions:
Motorcycle 45 mpg
Car 20mpg
Commute 20 miles / day, 100 miles per week
Gas $4 per gallon.
Results: $64 per month savings.
When I did this calc back when it broke $4 previously, I concluded that it wasn’t worth purchasing the motorcycle, being exposed to the elements, and being exposed to bozos on the road who could kill you (I have small kids).
However, I, like a lot of people, will be “going galt” on my other purchases in order to pay this “safety premium” for my commute.
i remember when clinton said that domestic production was pointless because it would take ten years to get to then-present day production. Bill gets all the gas he wants though
I don't know why Republicans don't run ads featuring Democrats saying that ten years ago.
Northeast oil refining capacity news. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/on-energy/2011/09/08/historically-high-oil-exports-helping-keep-gas-prices-high
Sorry that last link is wrong, try this: http://www.ogj.com/articles/2011/12/eia-sees-impacts-from-idling-half-of-northeasts-refining-capacity.html
I have no doubt Obama wants high gas prices too.
That is because he is a self-deluded fool living inside the progressive bubble. These gas prices will kill him politically.
Bill Daley would be telling him that today if he had not let Valerie Jarrett run him out of town on a rail.
I would gladly pay $5/gallon for the rest of this year if it guaranteed the POS in the WH would be soundly defeated.
I would simply view it as a campaign contribution.
If we could get a RINO (probably the best we can hope for given the progressives have begun their infestation of the GOP) who would have an actual energy policy starting with the elimination of the Dept of Energy that $5/gallon would drop like a rock.
Obama rejected the plan, but one of his spokesmen, Robert Gibbs, said the president is looking to increase domestic energy production. ........................................... Yeah, so long as its suits his purpose. After the election he’ll go back to his plan, so, screw you voters.
Ed Wallace, a Ft. Worth TV, auto reviews and BusinessWeek news writer has been all over the speculation issues and the crappy government stats on oil and gasoline. Right now there is a glut of gasoline in Chicago for spot markets is is selling below the “long” term pricing by 40-50 cents. The same with oil - selling at $60.00 a barrell, according to his Sat. radio show. BUT we are paying more because the speculators ahve driven the price up with cheap interest money, that makes playing the commidites market a big win. There is a WAR on against the middle class, both parties are winning from it.
I need to see the numbers behind those numbers before I'll accept that. Sounds like a bunch of cooked up bullshit.
The average age of cars on the road today is 10 years. How does increasing fuel efficiency change anything (except new car prices which are going through the roof)?
The list, Ping
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Here on Long Island, we have moved over the $4 per gallon mark (in NY, we are usually the 1st ones hit).
My beast is a hungry one. Thank goodness I HATE to drive and stay with in my local area.
Same here that’s why we installed 150 gallon bed tanks in our diesel 4x4’s.... They all stay topped off an we plan all of our trips to save on fuel costs till this insanity is over. The Carter era nightmare is set to repeat itself sadly.
i’m guessing that once summer vacations get into high gear that the President will release oil from our strategic oil reserves, about the same time as he announces restraint when the Israeli’s launch an attack on Iran.
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