| Author | Message | ||
     Darthane |
Oh, Skyguy, I'll certainly agree on the public transportation front. Christ, after living in Hiroshima for nine months I'm appalled at the pathetic state of PT in the US. Campaign for it, by all means, but this country was not built with that in mind and the cost of implementing it nowadays in major population centers would be absolutely staggering. Many of Japan's and Europe's population centers were rebuilt in the last 60 years, remember. Not so for the US.  | ||
| Skyguy |
IMHO the bulk of Americans are selfish, piggish posers. They saw this coming and still they buy behemoths they do not need. Everytime I am out on the highway I can not help but notice that MOST people are driving a gas guzzling pig. IT IS THEIR FAULT!!! I dont want to pay ten dollars a gallon but maybe it should go that high.......... Idots will get the heck out of their trucks and move closer to work. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
22 miles of pipeline needs to be replaced all of the sudden? How often do they check these things? Did the corrosion just happen overnight? Pipe lines are cleaned a couple of times a year by launching a scraper in the line. The scraper will clean the pipes interior to maximize the amount flow. These scrapers are called pigs. There is scraper that is called a "smart pig" with electronic measuring devises that transmits the thickness of the entire pipe and can pinpoint problem areas. Knowing this, I find hard to believe that Alyeska (BP and partners) would neglect 22 miles of pipe! If that is the case heads should role at the top and the operations end. They will never get ANWAR field pumping if something like this happening. I couldn't imagine the cost of the repairs of the 22 miles of the pipe, let alone the down time. I think that pipe is about 850 miles long. Could be real messy. | ||
| Skyguy |
Oh and on a side note: American automobile manufactures currently produce 38 different models of flex fuel vehicles. They do not tell consumers their cars will work on ethanol or gasoline (or any mix of either). They do it solely to get some kind of tax credit. Why do they do this and not tell us? OIL MONEY!!! Our once great country is becoming as corrupt as a darn thrid world country. | ||
| Darthane |
When was the last time you saw an ethanol 'gas' pump? ...an unfortunate truth is that the infrastructure to support alternative fuels (aside from pure electricity) is also sorely lacking, and a large portion of the reason there isn't more serious attempts to breach the market. It's just not cost-effective, and the American auto manufacterers in particular are not in a position financially to take the plunge like Toyota did with the Prius. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
.an unfortunate truth is that the infrastructure to support alternative fuels (aside from pure electricity) is also sorely lacking, I totally agree. We have been screwed by US auto industry since the 50's and by big oil since the 1970's with the oil embargo. The 1972 embargo started the rise in oil prices. I think it was contrived by the 7 sisters (the seven large oil companies) that seem to run the worlds production and prices. I can remember sitting on a tanker in the Persian Gulf waiting to go a dock at Kharg Island, Iran and trying to count the tankers coming and going out of there. The ship was on was anchor about a day, then went to the dock and was there just about 18 hours then sailed to the US East coast. Oh yeah, there was supposed an oil shortage then. We have get oil men out of Washington. While I'm ranting, I can't believe the State of Alaska didn't step in and make sure the maintenence was being done, as conservation concious as they are. Or used to be. | ||
| Mikej |
Find a car: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm Where can I find E85: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html Search for cars that don't need "gas": http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byfueltype.htm ('scuse me now, I have gas) | ||
| Mikej |
Electric vehicles:
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| Skyguy |
If oil companies would invest in electric it would go kinda like this. CNN reports that excess river run off from the record winter snows has placed a strain upon 30% of the power generators. Several will be down for repair during the busy summer driving season........................... | ||
| Cowboy |
Well off road diesel (for farm tractors)Is now $2.20 per gal. at $125.00 per day per tractor. How much will a B.L.T. sell for in 1 yr. looks like a good time to invest in beans and potatoes. or a donkey and plow. | ||
| Rocketman |
As I understand it, Saudi Arabia have said they can step up production to cover the problem, so gas prices shouldn't go up. Rocket | ||
| Captpete |
On this morning's NPR's All Things Considered, I heard that BP has not been using smart pigs because the pipeline is above ground and can be inspected manually. I think I recall hearing that a one or two-barrel leak gave them cause to look closer, and it turns out the manual inspection plan wasn't working out so well. FM recption here on the island is spotty when driving because of the mountains, so I missed the part about inspecting the pipeline after the leak was discovered. I would assume they sent the smart pig down the line. | ||
| Cadhopper |
I'm still waiting for someone to produce a mainstream hybrid bike. For now I settle for riding my BMW 06 F650GS to work which gets between 65-70 MPG if I ride it like a civilized person. The big thing I don't understand is why we need so many blends of fuels which from what I have read causes a strain on the production side. Why can't the oil companies and the government pick a standard for the three grades of fuel that will work for everyone based on what altitude you live in? In my area of Virginia the fuel in Richmond (where I work), Caroline County (where I live) and the DC area are all different blends. Why can't they just pick the higher standard that is good for the air we all breath and use it throughout the region? | ||
| Mb182 |
We could get cheaper ethanol/gas blend but the government has an import tax on alcohol to protect corn growers... Corn is not a good crop to make alcohol with. Takes almost as much energy to grow as it produces.. MB | ||
| Brucelee |
I love these kinds of threads. There are reportedly over 100 cars for sale in America that get 30 MPG on the highway EPA test. No shortage of transportation that is fuel efficient. No conspiracy to keep this info from the buyer public, it is all there. There is no popular demand on Congress that they open up the rights to drill for oil, natural gas, etc. There is no demand to develop nuclear power, coal to gas etc. Where are the protestors on this issue? Folks are asleep or they simply like to piss and moan, rather than take action. Its OK, the price will move up until it dosen't. No conspiracy on the part of the energy companies, as they can make money on many forms of energy. Look in the mirror folks, don't blame THEM. It is US. IF folks want to save money, they can. Or, they can just whine about it. Me, I ride my Buell and drive my wife's Sub and my BMW inline 6. No A/C at the house, just fans. My conscience is clear. BTW- my last fill on the XB was at 58 MPG. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
On this morning's NPR's All Things Considered, I heard that BP has not been using smart pigs because the pipeline is above ground and can be inspected manually. Well shame on them, Inspecting the outside of the pipe certainly can't tell much about what is going on inside. I thought they were smarter than that. I guess I was wrong on that one. | ||
| Darthane |
Bcord3, I doubt very much that 'manual inspection' involves someone walking along the line going, 'Yup, looks good!' | ||
| Road_thing |
Rocket: You are correct, Saudi does make that claim, but some folks in the industry doubt it. Recommended reading: Matthew Simmons "Twilight in the Desert" rt | ||
| Bomber |
I love the statements that claim the auto and oil industries are screwing the public, and should put more of their money into alternate energy research -- many of these speakers bristle at the idea of anyone telling them how to spend their money, and imagine the hue and cry if one were to call their salary increase a "windfall profit." comparing EU public transportation to that in the US is a little off target, I think, for a couple of reasons: population density -- public transport in many major urban centers is pretty good in the US -- I doubt seriously if the average EU public transportation commuter goes as far to work as the average US worker sqaure miles -- the US is just a lil bigger than most European countries -- time to build -- the EU made a choice, long ago, but taxing cars/trucks/scooters and the like, and the fuel therefor, to support the public transport infastructure -- in the US, folks clung to cars, move to the suburbs, and demanded minivans and SUV -- shame on publically held corporations and the government for giving the public what it wanted -- shame! sigh -- | ||
| Skyguy |
Bomber, Please don't ever confuse me with "The Public". I hold the majority of "The Public" in total contempt. Alas I am but one skinny guy with a voice. I have warned everyone I know for the last 15 years about where this country would be standing if some things did not change. They never stood. So here we stand. To many people, to few renewable resources. Of course how can people take the time to make a stand when both mom and dad are working 60 hours a week trying to keep up on the mortgage and the Joneses? | ||
| Road_thing |
Oh, so we can blame it all on Skyguy's failure to communicate! If he'd been able to make people understand for the last 15 years, crude oil would still be $20 a barrel and gasoline would still be $1.00! Sheesh, no wonder he holds us in contempt...we just wouldn't listen. rt | ||
| Bomber |
Sky we've not met, but believe me when I say that if I'd intended my comments for you individually and specifically, I have absolutely no problem in sending them to you, addressed to you (and likely off line, as it would be a conversation between you and me). Your stand on many issues, and your contempt for much of the public have been well communitcated. my previous post was intended to be a commentary on what I peceive to be the inconsistancy in many people's explanation of their world views, espeically wrt freedoms and support/control from the gummint . . . . | ||
| Skyguy |
Failure to communicate? More like failure to be heard. I was an enviromental and political science student in college and was pretty darn sure where we were headed with oil dependency. I was also right about going to war with Bush in office........... Now I am off to go drive my 12mpg 4x4 over 100 miles to try to fix my darn wheel bearings so I can ride again. Anything else you guys want to know?  | ||
| Brucelee |
"Bomber, Please don't ever confuse me with "The Public". I hold the majority of "The Public" in total contempt. " How nice for you! "How is that working for you?" "Alas I am but one skinny guy with a voice. I have warned everyone I know for the last 15 years about where this country would be standing if some things did not change." I think we are still standing, at least the last time I looked. Even with gas at $3.50, life goes on. "They never stood. So here we stand. To many people, to few renewable resources." Interesting opinion. Where are your facts? How many people is too many? How many resources are too few? BTW-there are plenty of resources, we just will not actually allow private enterprise to go and get or make them. "Of course how can people take the time to make a stand when both mom and dad are working 60 hours a week trying to keep up on the mortgage and the Joneses?" Sure, everyone is working 60 hours a week. Then who the hell are all these people on the freeway at 4PM? Give me a break. Americans love to gripe about how hard they have it yet they have it better than everyone else in the world. Hint-Yes, we tend to put in more hours that our parents. Then again, our parents had one car, no boat, maybe a 1500 sq ft house, one TV etc etc. Hey, stuff is expensive but not a necessity. Let the good times roll! | ||
| Kdan |
I told you guys it was all Skyguys fault, way back in the beginning! | ||
| Skyguy |
Brucelee, To many complicated questions!! The answers to many of your questions exist in todays headlines though. As for holding most of the public at large in contempt? Yes it works for me. It is also easy to do. Everytime I see a guy in a giant SUV I think he should be on a bike rather than filling my lungs with smog. But then again I live in the heart of ME FIRST land here in Southern California. I find very few like minded people here in SoCal and am moving North sometime this winter in an attempt to like my fellow man better.  | ||
| Road_thing |
Moving North in your 12 mpg 4x4? You should be on a bike rather than filling our lungs with smog... rt | ||
| Brucelee |
"As for holding most of the public at large in contempt? Yes it works for me. " I believe it. Well, some folks love to be bitter. Makes them feel superior! You should go write songs with Don Henley, you are a pair. "It is also easy to do." Yes, it is, very easy. "Everytime I see a guy in a giant SUV I think he should be on a bike rather than filling my lungs with smog." Well yes, the world should be the way YOU want it to be. BTW-if that guy is driving in California, I can bet he is NOT filling your lungs full of smog. You really should do your homework on this issue before you spout off! "But then again I live in the heart of ME FIRST land here in Southern California. I find very few like minded people here in SoCal and am moving North sometime this winter in an attempt to like my fellow man better." I live in SOCAL and it IS a great place to live UNLESS you want us all to live like say, Portland or Seattle. See that is the great thing about FREEDOM, we are free to be who we are and you are free to move to where you are comfortable. The difference is, I don't have contempt for you. I am happy that you can find a place where you will be happier. Maybe not happy but happier. Good luck on that! | ||
| Skyguy |
RT I am currently working on a device to transport my WORK truck to NorCal without driving it. Unless I have to use my people mover to transport customers (or run for parts to fix my Buell) I don't drive it. I live at 5,200 feet and rode all winter even in the rain and snow! Even though it is really not any less expensive I would rather do that then play the gasoline game. Call me an idiot but I am kinda a conservationist (not to be confused with a tree hugger) and am somewhat socially aware. I think living 50 or more miles from work and driving a gas guzzler is just wrong, socially unaware and selfish. I grew up around people that spent their lives trying to make the world a better place to live. Some of it rubbed off. | ||
| Bomber |
wow -- Mr, Pot, meet Mr. Kettle |
