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04-22-2008, 10:52 AM | |
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Gas Usage Down
Posted on Mon, Apr. 21, 2008 10:15 PM
reprint or license print email Digg it del.icio.us AIM Gasoline usage heads down By STEVE EVERLY The Kansas City Star If you decide to make changes based on the high cost of gasoline, which of the following would you consider? That may not sound like much, but it would be the first time since 1991 that there’s been a decline in annual gas consumption. And it would be only the eighth year since 1951 in which demand for gasoline has declined. The federal agency noted that the decline was occurring in part because of a slowing economy. But it also said that higher gas prices were having an effect on demand. “Sustained higher gasoline prices are beginning to show up in lower gasoline consumption,” said Tancred Lidderdale, an analyst for the Energy Information Administration. Both gasoline and diesel prices are now at record levels. According to AAA, the national average on Monday for a gallon of gasoline was $3.50 a gallon, or 64 cents higher than a year ago. Diesel was $4.20 per gallon, or $1.27 higher than a year ago. A gallon of E-85, a blend that contains 85 percent ethanol, was $2.89 a gallon. AAA also gives an adjusted price reflecting the fact that ethanol has less energy than conventional gasoline. By that measure, a price-adjusted gallon of E-85 was $3.81. Crude oil prices were up on Monday for the sixth straight day. Light, sweet crude for May delivery rose to a record $117.76 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange before settling at $117.48, up 79 cents from Friday’s close. Figures that track gas consumption can be volatile from week to week. But the idea that demand for the year will be down is gaining support. Lehi German, publisher of Fundamental Petroleum Trends, said the federal agency’s prediction of a downturn was “in the ballpark.” In addition, diesel demand has shown signs of softening as well. Although higher fuel prices were expected to have an effect on demand, it wasn’t clear just how high they would have to go to do so. Many market watchers believed prices would have to stay above $3 per gallon for several months or even a year. That tipping point for gasoline demand may have arrived. Mike Right, a spokesman for AAA Club of Missouri, said that a decline in gasoline usage shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. A survey conducted in January by AAA found that many motorists were already deciding to change vacation plans for this summer by planning for shorter trips. “We are starting to see some signs of that,” he said. Verne Covell of Smithville counts himself as one who’s had enough. Now retired, Covell bought a pickup and travel trailer when he retired in 2000. Long trips with his wife to places like Canada were common. This year, however, there will be at most a trip to south Missouri. The trailer may even stay in storage for the entire year because of fuel prices. “We’re getting on and you don’t know how long you have,” he said. “But this year we decided it just got too expensive.” There are indications that a fundamental shift in consumer driving habits may have started in December, when total miles traveled in the U.S. dropped 3.9 percent compared with the same month a year earlier. Miles traveled in the Midwest were down 5.8 percent. Mainly because of the December drop, the Federal Highway Administration said it was estimating that miles traveled for all of 2007 were down 0.4 percent. A question now is whether the curtailing of gas consumption could gain momentum, especially if prices climb further. Steve Mosby is vice president of Admo Energy, an area company that helps other companies, including gas stations, control the cost they pay for fuel. He said his company had been getting recent reports from customers of substantial reductions in the number of gallons being pumped. And those changes may show up in daily commuting habits in addition to plans for longer trips. Demand already is increasing for automobiles offering higher gas mileage. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority also reports that bus ridership has been growing as gas prices have increased. Last year ridership was up 4.1 percent. For the first two months of this year, compared to the same period last year, the number of riders was up 9 percent. “I certainly think gas prices are having an impact on our ridership,” said Dick Jarrold, a senior director at ATA. A decline in gasoline demand could help give some relief from high prices. Although prices are surging as the traditional summer driving season approaches, some market followers expect prices to ease back later this summer. One ongoing concern is that even though Americans may be cutting back on gas consumption, emerging middle classes in faster-growing countries such as China and India are quickly embracing the driving habit and pushing global demand for fuel higher. “That’s the billion-dollar question,” Mosby said. Higher standards sought WASHINGTON | The government today plans to release a proposal to raise fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks, putting the nation’s fleet on track to reach 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Last year, Congress sought a 40 percent increase in mileage standards. Today’s proposal will set fuel economy standards from 2011 to 2015. The nation’s fleet of new passenger cars is currently required to meet a 27.5 mpg average, while sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans have a target of 22.5 mpg. Democrats have said the new fuel economy requirements will save motorists $700 to $1,000 a year in fuel costs. The Associated Press contributed to this report. To reach Steve Everly, call 816-234-4455 or send e-mail to severly@kcstar.com. | The Associated Press |
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04-22-2008, 02:53 PM | #31 |
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I ride the bike any day it isn't forecast to rain. 20 miles one way to work and 40 mpg on the bike as opposed to 18 in my truck.
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04-22-2008, 02:57 PM | #32 | |
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Quote:
Your post brings up an interesting point about Americans in general. Americans are all about "style points" and looking good at the expense of saving $$$ on fuel. We love our muscle cars and SUV's, we love to go fast, and we love to look good while doing it. Its a huge shot to our ego's to drive small economical cars.
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Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made. |
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04-22-2008, 03:00 PM | #33 |
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Gas wasn't threatening to top $100 a fucking gallon in March of 2005.
Hell, if I'd waited one more month to get rid of the Mustang, I'd probably be driving a Civic now. I traded the Mustang for my Impala last March; gas started going through the roof a month later. |
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04-22-2008, 03:02 PM | #34 | |
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04-22-2008, 03:11 PM | #35 |
Wearing ballistic dog goggles.
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04-22-2008, 03:24 PM | #36 |
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04-22-2008, 03:26 PM | #37 |
Wearing ballistic dog goggles.
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04-22-2008, 03:38 PM | #38 | |
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Ok it's about time people woke the **** up. Nothing is going to change. Maybe it will dip down to $3/gal again briefly if the global economy REALLY goes in the tank but even then it wont stay there long. So allow me to be as clear as possible: The prices aren't coming back down again. Ever. People will have to change their habits and start driving small cars, motorcycles hell scooters. There is no real reason I have to drive a 4x4 that gets 15mpg to work every day and weighs 2 tons, that fact is it's always been ridiculous and extravagant and we're just going to have to come to terms with that accept it. The days of soccer moms going to the corner in a ****ing tank are coming to an end. Live with it. |
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04-22-2008, 03:42 PM | #39 | |
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__________________
Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made. |
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04-22-2008, 03:44 PM | #40 | |
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I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you? |
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04-22-2008, 03:46 PM | #41 | |
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And don't forget the tax the democrats will impose on everyone for using more efficient vehicles and gas.
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My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs. |
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04-22-2008, 03:48 PM | #42 |
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They didn't do that the last time the government cut the tax. There is no reason to believe they will do that now.
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My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs. |
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04-22-2008, 03:50 PM | #43 |
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Its never going to be below $2.75 ever again.
__________________
Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made. |
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04-22-2008, 03:51 PM | #44 | |
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Quote:
__________________
My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs. |
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04-22-2008, 03:58 PM | #45 |
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What are you driving?
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My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs. |
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