<p>Besides, that would only delay the inevitable. This is looking like a pretty good time to finally start getting off of oil. I don't care how many wells you dig, or how many refineries you build, the unadulterated truth is that one day in the near future, be it 5 years, 10 years, or 30 years, oil production will peak. If we're as dependant on it then as we are now, the economic ramifications would be enormous. So, all you engineers or scientists out there, get to work.</p>
<p>It is not that it would help up right now, obviously, it is that the price of oil now makes it more desireable for the companies. That's one reason the pipeline was built in the 70s. Oil prices were high, demand was high, and the potential profits made the plan more doable. I didn't say it would lower gas prices now. </p>
<p>Historically, Alaska's economy runs opposite to the lower 48. We usually have the best economy when the lower 48 is hurting, and vice versa. So, for us, aside from the fact that we have to keep our houses warm at -60, this may actually turn out okay. New development would do a great deal to boost our economy.</p>
<p>mekrob</p>
<p>Their also was a show before 9/11, on regular TV, which was the same, it explained the whole scenerio before it happened. In pretty close detail.</p>
<p>It makes ya wonder.</p>
<p>yeah isn't that unfortunate this happened right before labor day weekend .. so many poor families had to cancel their plans, and lots of people will be, in fact, laboring to stay alive down there</p>
<p>rumors have been spread that we might be reduced to a 4 day week, or that people living 1 mile within their house will have to walk home, cuz fuel for buses is getting too expensive, and there's a budget set for gas at the beginning of the year ..</p>
<p>Here in Massachusetts gas is around $3.40. That's rediculous. Now a days, our cars take up so much gas, too. Big trucks, jeeps, etc. are every where, even families that only have four people feel the need to own two or three of these huge, gas-eating cars. Then, we complain about gas. </p>
<p>Because my school is a long drive from where I live, I'm planning on taking the public bus to school on most days. It'll helped my parents out. They'll save a lot on money from not paying the rediculous gas prices.</p>
<p>I just feel sorry for people driving alone in ginormous SUVs. No common sense AND bad luck. Oh well...</p>
<p>When I can, I'll probably buy a hybird. Those things get insane gas mileage.</p>
<p>Why do you feel sorry for folks driving large vehicles? It is the economic reality thath those who can will pay until the pain is enough to motivate change. In my opinion $3.00/gal gas is not enough to motivate change......$5.00/gal might be getting to that point. Gas is not different from other consumables...some folks eat hamburger and others eat Kobe beef. The market will determine the price versus demand. Americans are a long way from changing....they are *****ing but not selling or parking their ginormous vehicles and won't for a long time yet. At some point before they park them they will use the status of filling them up and having everyone know they can afford the $4.50/gal. Never mind the cost to the folks who cannot afford it.</p>
<p>How can this dependence on oil be solved? Electricity? Hydrogen? Don't these resoureces need petroleum to even be available for the public? How do we become completely independent from oil? How long will the process take?</p>
<p>My sympathy is similar to what you may feel for a student that slacked off during high school. No matter how much you feel that the said student was lazy, indolent, and stupid, you probably would feel some pity for the kid.</p>
<p>I wish we could be more like Europe, which relies mainly on mass transport.</p>
<p>The gas in AMsterdam is $6.20 per gallon, but so many people ride the bus and subway it really doesn't affect the people that much.</p>
<p>IMprove mass transport!</p>
<p>But mass transport, especially in the Western U.S., wouldn't help much. And mass transport only delays the eventual end of petroleum resources.</p>
<p>I feel no sympathy for folks who determine what they choose to spend their money on. My sympathy lies with folks who feel responsible to conserve world resources. I also don't feel sorry for slackers who didn't get with the program during high school......none. I feel sorry for kids who don't have the intellect or don't have the health but not slackers. I respect that you feel sorry for them but I don't choose to feel sorry for lack of effort.</p>
<p>I completely respect your lack of sympathy partly because those certain people are human plagues to society.</p>
<p>But back to the issue: How can the United States become reliant on sources not connected to petroleum?</p>
<p>History shows that new solutions come from necessity. By reinforcing capital investment and research we will come up with solutions. Perfecting the safety and implementation of fission and solar,wind and chemical......it is all available. Finding new sources is less of an issue than making them financially feasible. When the gas pains transcend the fear of other forms of power and the market determines the demand for other sources then it will happen. Public transport may also be a part of the picture......electric trains are certainly an option. Many of our cities have NO public transport and the suburban folks aren't yet ready to give up the lifestyle. One can only hope that monied, educated folks will move back to urban areas, improve the schools and repair our infrastructures. That is a good start in my opinion.</p>
<p>I have a question.
What do you mean by fear of those mentioned energy resources? What fears are there for solar and wind?</p>
<p>Zoning........ugly devices.....suburbanites don't want these devices in their back yard. It is the "not in my backyard" mentality. They think windmills are only on farms in Kansas. They want cell phone service but no towers in their back yard....same thing.</p>
<p>Wow. I guess I have no common sense. I live in Alaska. What was I thinking? How selfish of me to have to drive an SUV so that I can 4 wheel over the snow berms in the winter. I should use alternative power and put my huskie in a halter so I can skijor to work. Oh, wait, that would upset PETA. Too bad there is no public tranport here. Maybe we should build an infrastructure. Oh, wait, people in the lower 48 want to preserve the wilderness so we can't possibly mar the landscape with lightrail. Oh well, maybe the rural nuclear power plant being built in Galena will help us to be more European and rely on nuclear power more. That is if the environmentalists who live a continent away will, in their paternalism, grant a permit. We would cut down more trees and burn a renewable resource, but those pesky Air Quality people get upset when we go over the pollution limit 2 days a year when it is 40 below and they yank our federal monies. Hmm. </p>
<p>Please don't use broad generalizations in characterizing those who drive SUVs. Some of us need to. I couldn't have hauled my moose home without it...</p>
<p>I think that people who need to should use SUVs and heavy duty vehicles.</p>
<p>Which basically means a tiny amount of people. When every other person drives an SUV it takes a giant toll.</p>
<p>As for other energy sources, there'll need to be a combination of them. Big solar plants, big wind farms, and hydrogen. It will cost a lot of money. For example, extracting hydrogen from things costs money. It will cost money to set up hydrogen gas stations across the country. Billions and billions of dollars. But money has to be spent to get results. </p>
<p>I think Cornell was going to build a giant wind turbine thingy to test out how well it would work and stuff, but the locals didn't want to because it would look ugly and might affect birds and things (I don't know how true that is). But unless we start somewhere, alternate energy won't be a reality.</p>
<p>The Market determines who will drive SUVs or other ginormous vehicles. If we are going to target those who drive ginormous vehicles then of course we should target those who live in ginormous houses or energy inefficient houses or those who use hair dryers or perhaps those who use gas grills. The Market determines usage.......those who use pay and those who can pay may use more. It is the price and the availability determining price along with demand. One great equalizer and inventor is The Market......why target just the ginormous vehicle drivers??? When availability is low, demand high.....price is high.</p>