Gas Pump Prices?

We are fortunate in our neighborhood. Two new gas stations from large independents (Thornton’s and Speedway) are waging a price war against Shell, BP-Amoco, and Mobil-Exxon. The result? Pump prices have moderated a good bit in the past two months or so.

When the international gas barons dictate a price of $2.80 a gallon, the others are offering it at $2.50. That has disrupted the oligopolies’ pricing structure. Yes; they have lowered their prices, too. 

Driving in the larger region we note the much higher prices. And we also noted the singularity of those prices on holiday weekends: $2.80 per gallon everywhere, except of course, our locals. That got us through the holidays without having a stroke over high gas prices!

But now, international oil prices are rising quickly. $2 per barrel just the other day. Another $1 two days later. Still rising. That has caused a spike in gas pump prices. We are already seeing them; but our local independents remain at $2.50. How long they can hold out at this level remains to be seen. But we have hope for them!

The larger issue is why we continue to rely on oil and its by-products without serious effort to replace this form of energy in the long term. We’ve wrung our hands over the finite nature of oil supplies. They are bound to run out. Meanwhile, however, let’s price the current product as though it were disappearing from the scene. Make it seem scarce so the suppliers can boost the price. And take advantage of the public!

If oil is a finite resource, then act like it and invent its replacement. Whisper it so the oil companies don’t have a fit and spend vast fortunes buying politicians to stand in the way of such progress. Who owns our country? You and I? Or a bunch of oil barons and bankers?

I think we need to call a halt to this smoke and mirrors routine. Let our scientists loose to discover the next generation of energy for transportation, home heating and cooling, industry power, and so forth. That energy source is out there. A lot is already known. We are lowering the demand for oil consistently. Eventually it will be replaced, because it is a finite resource; we will have to replace it entirely.

So let’s get at this task now. What are we waiting for?

You know the answer to that question, don’t you? It’s in your gut. You know we are being played for fools. Public funded research in this arena is being pinched off. The oil barons don’t want to upset their money machine just yet. They will find their own replacement, thank you; that way they can control the energy markets going forward just as they have looking far into the past.

What schlumpfs we are to let this happen generation after generation.

Where are our standards? Where is our leadership to change the future that will benefit all of us?

Now that’s an interesting question. What might the answer be? Hmmmm?

January 12, 2018