I noticed that too. Gas prices are higher than ever, and the media barely mentions it. Under Bush it was on almost everyday. Sob stories about how people were suffering because of it, how it was Bush’s fault, etc.
openid.aol.com/runnswim
12 years ago
Hi Curt,
US produced oil and North American produced oil is priced according to world oil market prices. Domestic oil sells for the same thing as international oil (adjusted for quality of crude). The US produces 10% of the world’s oil. If we increased production by 25% (very difficult to do, as US production is now at an all time high), it would increase world oil supplies by 2.5% and reduce gasoline prices by a similar amount. US gasoline prices are, indeed, up a great deal since the depths of the recession, but are not much higher than they were pre-recession (during the Bush administration). Many factors contribute to gasoline prices; in particular, current problems at oil refineries.
Why don’t we build a big oil refinery here in Orange County, such as they have off the 405 Fwy in Carson? That would do much more to moderate local gasoline prices than any policy change coming out of Washington DC.
– Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA.
Greg
12 years ago
If it’s all Obama’s fault, how do we account for the fact that average gasoline prices in most other nations greatly exceed the average cost in the United States?
Here’s an international gasoline price chart, updated through September. Set the unit to Gallons and the currency to U.S. dollars, and then look down the list to put things into perspective. Even California prices are far cheaper than most other places in the world.
Greg
12 years ago
I’m always amused by thumbs down votes on straightforward facts.
Maybe I should have asserted that gasoline prices are lower in the United States than almost everywhere else in the world because of Obama’s policies. Why, if it weren’t for Obama’s policies, you could be paying $8.60 per gallon, like they do in the UK. Or over 10 bucks a gallon, as they are in Norway.
Greg: Maybe I should have asserted that gasoline prices are lower in the United States than almost everywhere else in the world because of Obama’s policies. If it weren’t for Obama’s policies, you could be paying $8.60 per gallon…snip…
Let’s parse slow, shall we, Greg?
1: Are you now admitting that energy policies can effect bbl of oil prices, and price at the pumps?
US produced oil and North American produced oil is priced according to world oil market prices. Domestic oil sells for the same thing as international oil (adjusted for quality of crude).
There in lies the rub. Our oil use is down about a half from the peak in 2006-2007, yet prices are nearly DOUBLE what it was then. We’ve hitched our wagon to the world’s prices and we’re doomed.
The US consumer will never benefit from a decline in oil usage since the slack will just be taken up by China or as is happening, Latin America (And our Diesel going to the Europeans.).
. Many factors contribute to gasoline prices; in particular, current problems at oil refineries.
Since we’re still in a recession our oil and gas uses is way down from the high of 2006-2007. Prices are through the roof as we’re exporting the refined products out of the country. The height of stupidity. Oh sure the big boys win-three cheers for the people who’d sell their mother and fellow countryman out for a Chinese trinket-but the American consumer/citizen loses.
Why don’t we build a big oil refinery here in Orange County, such as they have off the 405 Fwy in Carson? That would do much more to moderate local gasoline prices than any policy change coming out of Washington DC.
The last time we built/opened a NEW refinery was when? 1977?
That was ridicule. My point was that Obama does not control gasoline prices.
Under Obama, domestic production has reached the highest level since 2003. Domestic consumption has declined. We’re exporting more than before. You’ve got to look for the reason for the high prices elsewhere. It isn’t because of any shortage in supply.
Producers would love to have easy access to reserves on public land. They would sell it for prices set by the international market and make a bundle, running down our domestic reserves in the process.
Mulligan22
12 years ago
While no President directly controls the day to day price of petroleum products, their policies can affect them over time. Less supply and more demand does affect prices. Fact is if we were in a robust growing economy we would see higher prices than we see now due to higher demand. Petroleum producers would do more to try to meet that demand which is where a Presidents policies can either help or hurt production. This President does not want more oil produced. He wants alternative energies and more public transportation. I won’t live long enough to see a functioning windmill on top of a car.
Oddly enough he talks about infrastructure spending on roads and bridges which are funded largely by taxes we pay on refined petroleum products of which he wants us to use less.
The other thing I believe are affecting prices is the drop in the value of the dollar. Which seems to be something this President has little concern for.
Funny I recall when Bush was president and gas prices went up he was first in line to be blamed. So why not Obama?
Aqua
12 years ago
@Greg:
So, the president and his policies can’t control gas prices?
That’s not what your side said under Bush.
Liberal1 (Objectivity)
12 years ago
I was wondering how long it would take this web to mention the increase in gas prices as Obama’s fault—I didn’t hear the righties talking when gas prices were below $3.35 a few months ago.
Aqua
12 years ago
@Liberal1 (Objectivity):
You’re right Lib1, where are our manners? Gas prices were $1.95 a gallon when Obama took office. And the man said outright that he had no problem with high gas prices, he just wanted a gradual increase.
Let me know when Obama has the prices below $2.00 and I promise I’ll send a thank-you card. But I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
Mulligan
hi,
you say you won’t live long enough to see a functioning windmill to fit on top of a car,
but sadly, you might live to find the extermination of birds by the WINDTOWERS,
at the rate of millions per year,
bye
I noticed that too. Gas prices are higher than ever, and the media barely mentions it. Under Bush it was on almost everyday. Sob stories about how people were suffering because of it, how it was Bush’s fault, etc.
Hi Curt,
US produced oil and North American produced oil is priced according to world oil market prices. Domestic oil sells for the same thing as international oil (adjusted for quality of crude). The US produces 10% of the world’s oil. If we increased production by 25% (very difficult to do, as US production is now at an all time high), it would increase world oil supplies by 2.5% and reduce gasoline prices by a similar amount. US gasoline prices are, indeed, up a great deal since the depths of the recession, but are not much higher than they were pre-recession (during the Bush administration). Many factors contribute to gasoline prices; in particular, current problems at oil refineries.
Why don’t we build a big oil refinery here in Orange County, such as they have off the 405 Fwy in Carson? That would do much more to moderate local gasoline prices than any policy change coming out of Washington DC.
– Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA.
If it’s all Obama’s fault, how do we account for the fact that average gasoline prices in most other nations greatly exceed the average cost in the United States?
Here’s an international gasoline price chart, updated through September. Set the unit to Gallons and the currency to U.S. dollars, and then look down the list to put things into perspective. Even California prices are far cheaper than most other places in the world.
I’m always amused by thumbs down votes on straightforward facts.
Maybe I should have asserted that gasoline prices are lower in the United States than almost everywhere else in the world because of Obama’s policies. Why, if it weren’t for Obama’s policies, you could be paying $8.60 per gallon, like they do in the UK. Or over 10 bucks a gallon, as they are in Norway.
Let’s parse slow, shall we, Greg?
1: Are you now admitting that energy policies can effect bbl of oil prices, and price at the pumps?
2: What “Obama” policies are you speaking of?
@openid.aol.com/runnswim:
There in lies the rub. Our oil use is down about a half from the peak in 2006-2007, yet prices are nearly DOUBLE what it was then. We’ve hitched our wagon to the world’s prices and we’re doomed.
The US consumer will never benefit from a decline in oil usage since the slack will just be taken up by China or as is happening, Latin America (And our Diesel going to the Europeans.).
Since we’re still in a recession our oil and gas uses is way down from the high of 2006-2007. Prices are through the roof as we’re exporting the refined products out of the country. The height of stupidity. Oh sure the big boys win-three cheers for the people who’d sell their mother and fellow countryman out for a Chinese trinket-but the American consumer/citizen loses.
The last time we built/opened a NEW refinery was when? 1977?
No sale.
@MataHarley, #5:
That was ridicule. My point was that Obama does not control gasoline prices.
Under Obama, domestic production has reached the highest level since 2003. Domestic consumption has declined. We’re exporting more than before. You’ve got to look for the reason for the high prices elsewhere. It isn’t because of any shortage in supply.
Producers would love to have easy access to reserves on public land. They would sell it for prices set by the international market and make a bundle, running down our domestic reserves in the process.
While no President directly controls the day to day price of petroleum products, their policies can affect them over time. Less supply and more demand does affect prices. Fact is if we were in a robust growing economy we would see higher prices than we see now due to higher demand. Petroleum producers would do more to try to meet that demand which is where a Presidents policies can either help or hurt production. This President does not want more oil produced. He wants alternative energies and more public transportation. I won’t live long enough to see a functioning windmill on top of a car.
Oddly enough he talks about infrastructure spending on roads and bridges which are funded largely by taxes we pay on refined petroleum products of which he wants us to use less.
The other thing I believe are affecting prices is the drop in the value of the dollar. Which seems to be something this President has little concern for.
Funny I recall when Bush was president and gas prices went up he was first in line to be blamed. So why not Obama?
@Greg:
So, the president and his policies can’t control gas prices?
That’s not what your side said under Bush.
I was wondering how long it would take this web to mention the increase in gas prices as Obama’s fault—I didn’t hear the righties talking when gas prices were below $3.35 a few months ago.
@Liberal1 (Objectivity):
You’re right Lib1, where are our manners? Gas prices were $1.95 a gallon when Obama took office. And the man said outright that he had no problem with high gas prices, he just wanted a gradual increase.
Let me know when Obama has the prices below $2.00 and I promise I’ll send a thank-you card. But I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
Mulligan
hi,
you say you won’t live long enough to see a functioning windmill to fit on top of a car,
but sadly, you might live to find the extermination of birds by the WINDTOWERS,
at the rate of millions per year,
bye