Posted on 04/22/2014 12:36:23 PM PDT by Theoria
Drivers in the U.S. are facing rising gasoline prices ahead of summer-vacation season, just as refiners here are shipping more gas to other countries.
A new pipeline, built to release a glut of crude oil that was stuck in the middle of the country, is now feeding oil to refineries on the Gulf Coast that churn out gasoline and diesel. While these fuels still make their way to the Southeast and the East Coast, growing amounts are being sold to Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil and other countries.
The push into these markets has been spurred by the U.S. oil boom. Rising oil output had been flooding the nation's oil market in recent years, keeping U.S. crude prices low relative to world prices. Facing tepid fuel demand in the U.S., refiners have been ramping up exports, creating more global competition for U.S.-produced fuel.
While the construction of pipelines and other transportation infrastructure allows other countries to benefit from the oil boom, it also means the market for motor fuels has become more competitive. The gasoline market now has to reckon with demand from other countries—and the potential impact on prices—during a U.S. economic recovery many economists see as fragile.
"Quite frankly, this is not just a U.S.-centric topic anymore," said Nancy White, a spokeswoman for motor club AAA. "Production is going overseas, so that impacts the supply here, and that will drive prices up."
Gasoline stockpiles nationwide are at their lowest point for this time of year since 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meantime, the retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline averaged $3.68 on Monday, up 4.2% from a year ago, according to the EIA. That is the highest price since March 2013. AAA had the average price on Monday at $3.67.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Gas prices near $4 in the middle of nowhere on the (CO) Rockies and ready to go up in the summer along with fire bans, new gun control, clouds of pot smoke, incidents, revenue trapping traffic detours, etc.
I’m going by the article we’re all discussing that states American oil is being sold to foreign concerns more than in the past?
If that is the case, should we sell lower than the Saudis? Can’t the tariff be the price difference?
So you’re saying the govt should mandate that I sell my crude oil cheaper than the world price so the govt can add a tax to it for the government’s benefit?
No, I wouldn’t want the USA to be non-competitive.
I would agree that a tariff should never make our goods cost more than what other nation’s goods sell at.
Thanks for setting my thinking straight.
No.
In fact, I’m not so sure I would want a tariff now. I’m no economist, and others have enlightened me. If a tariff causes our oil to cost more than other countries oil, then no way.
I’m glad the world is buying our oil. Better people here make money on it, than terrorist-supporting nations.
I’ll leave government economic policies to my betters!
Stop! You’re making too much sense.
If the government dictates who you must
sell your product, it is a price control.
All those poor liberals who have jobs and want to go home on vacation. What are they gonna’ do? /s
The are doing what any good company does and should do which is maximize their profit. I do not own any oil wells or refineries or gas stations or even any stock in the companies that do. But I am all in favor of those who do own those things making as much money as they can. If I think they are making too much then I will invest in their stocks, buy a well, or open a gas station. Do you sell your labor cheap so as to benefit the rest of us or do you try to earn as high as wage as you possibly can?
BTW. check this graph out. The big oil companies combined do not earn as much as Apple. Why know hate and greed towards Apple? “blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/files/2013/11/Apple-oil-profit-margins.jpg”
Well they certainly have zip allegiance with America. The stock holders...The CEO's and upper senior management?
Ya think these people wouldn't support and sell to American's enemies for a profit? Ya think they've never done so?
Profits regardless of consequences....This is nothing new Olivia.
See 71...It’s all about profits...I understand that.
Ya got any idea why big biz pays to keep those borders open?
Ya got any idea what it’s done to America?
We’re seeing some disturbing and un-conservative comments. My previous comments disagreed with implications in many contemporary publications on energy consumption and production, but tariffs and controls against exports are bad ideas except for some kind of war emergency. We should not try to hinder our energy producers from selling their products. Those are needed exports.
Without those exports, the debt game will collapse sooner. Most Americans with good incomes are only continuing to receive those incomes through exports and the consequently reduced balance of payments deficits. We must trade something out to Charlie for all of his nice toys and the money to buy them (treasuries, etc.). If not, then Ronny the regulator and Tammie the teacher will be out of work much sooner (bond problems, skyrocketing interest rates, general decline in activity, avalanche of foreclosures, extreme declines in property tax revenues, defaults on debts,...the vicious cycle).
One answer is to deregulate on local levels to allow for more manufacturing production from small shops across America without the commuting paradigm that we’ve seen. Services in a sane economy follow production on our own soil instead of leading it (debt economy in decline). If we don’t export products made here, we’re not really paying the foreign debts. Charlie is sending us products and the money to buy them with. He won’t be fooled forever.
So the tradeoff: energy exports to keep the debt game going longer (no choice this late in the game) and a little austerity in some locales in regards to tourism revenues (fuel prices, etc.). Those locales could have second thoughts about their local anti-manufacturing zoning laws instead of only sponging from tourists and unwary newcomers (regulations like big cities).
Why pick on oil and related products? Why not also restrict the export of coal, farm products, automobiles, and money?
Should not every good patriotic American be required to invest their money here? That way we can all benefit from lower borrowing costs. It was earned it here driving on public roads going to public schools using our hospitals...
In fact, anyone who favors export restrictions on oil and gas should be required to put their savings and retirement plan money in oil and gas companies. That way we can use our money to help lower production cost and thereby help the companies charge the rest of less.
Opening our borders to unskilled welfare dependent people is about bringing demonrat votes into the country. Do you equate big business crony capitalism with a free enterprise system?
I suppose you have a method of assuring the oil and gs company a fair profit if you decide to run their businesses for them?
Ya got any idea why big biz pays to keep those borders open?
Ya got any idea what it’s done to America?
Opening our borders to unskilled welfare dependent people is about bringing demonrat votes into the country.
You're getting Mr. Safety.
Ya see the same corrupt politicians being bribed and having their political campaigns bankrolled by big biz get the side benefit of millions of potential socialist voters. Big biz gets their low wage dirt cheap labor....
It's a win win for everyone except working middle class Americans!
Ya think these people wouldn’t support and sell to American’s enemies for a profit? Ya think they’ve never done so?
Post your list of all of the enemies of the US we should not sell to. Can I assume you favor an absolute 100% ban against all trade with our enemies?
I don’t see any way out of so many state and local investments going to commodities like energy along with demands for more profits (including the export rush). We saw the propane spike and natural gas price increase, for example. I only see ways for us to try to take care of ourselves, even if a rush to wood as fuel makes wood more scarce and expensive.
Rocket Stove Mass Heater (stealthy and safe if properly built and maintained)
http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp
There’s a permitting process for those in Portland of all places. And for those with even more inclination toward work and savings,...
$2K Solar Space + Water Heating — One Simple DIY System
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/DHWplusSpace/Main.htm
On vehicles, we’ll need to downsize, do better on maintenance and/or cut back on miles. Constituents who have much influence on the economy will do as they please, but so can we. I don’t know what else to do except for each of us to try to get through this hard time with individual study and hard work. Those of us who can do so, we need to rediscover American ingenuity. And it wouldn’t hurt for more of us to rediscover gardening.
Oh, get over your Marxism and get a grip.
Businesses want to make a profit and, if they don't, they go out of business.
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