OT: Gas Prices

[Dragonswrd]

We don't have anything here like "flex fuel cars" because the car manufacturers won't bring them here. There is no market for them. People here like to drive their gas guzzling SUVs. Those that have posted here, are the minority. I would say about 75 to 80% of those I have talked to want to get an SUV. They don't care about the gas prices or the environment. But then again most Americans are complete morons (see last presidential election). And yes I am a citizen of the US, born and raised. And because the government has shown that our voices don't matter, no one is willing to try to change anything.

[Ragnarok-X]

Atrocities said:
Brazil had the right idea back in the 80's. Now they are about a year away from telling OPEC and the Oil companies to piss off. If they can make sugar based fuel work with flex fuel cars, then why in the hell can't we?

Because you precious mr. president is having sex with the oil/gas industry ?

btw. Anyone heard about the project in sweden ? They are doing some crop/biomass thingy and are planning to be fully indepedent of standart oil until 2020.

[Atrocities]

Suicide Junkie said:
Wouldn't it be nice to have prices much higher, but have your first X liters subsidized and cheap?

You should add something like this to your plan in the ruler of the world thread.

Is that like Canadian humor or something?

[Atrocities]

Dragonswrd said:
We don't have anything here like "flex fuel cars" because the car manufacturers won't bring them here. There is no market for them. People here like to drive their gas guzzling SUVs. Those that have posted here, are the minority. I would say about 75 to 80% of those I have talked to want to get an SUV. They don't care about the gas prices or the environment. But then again most Americans are complete morons (see last presidential election). And yes I am a citizen of the US, born and raised. And because the government has shown that our voices don't matter, no one is willing to try to change anything.

US car manufactures do manufacture flex fuel cars, GM for one. They just don't sell them here because like you said, there is no market for them here....... Bush is an oil man thats for sure, he is also crippeling pro big business, as many presidents have been, and there is simply too much money coming from the oil lobby to stand against them. SO yes, lobby reform is also a must.

[Sivran]

Flex fuel sucks. Takes too much energy to produce the ethanol. And where does that energy come from? Fossil fuels.

Biodiesel, man. Biodiesel. A stock diesel can run it. A few modifications help it last longer. And, you're recycling, using waste from restaurants, using vegetable and other oils that were already produced and used for another purpose.

I don't care that oil's up to 70 bucks. The oil companies can afford to lower gas prices, but they've discovered we sheep will tolerate higher prices. It's as much our fault as theirs.

[Renegade 13]

Nuclear power. I was reading about a 'new' type of reactor that will actually utilize the waste materials from conventional nuclear reactors, and would also be much more efficient. The waste generated would still be radioactive and thus toxic, but the half life is something like 100 or 150 years rather than the current 10,000 or so.

But with general public opinion being extremely anti-nuclear power, any chance of the newer, better reactors being built isn't likely. Me, I'm all for nuclear reactors...just not in my backyard!

Nuclear is the way to go though. That'll cut dependence on oil by a lot, and also make coal-burning electricity plants (of which the US has a LOT) obsolete.

[Azselendor]

I read about that too, basically it takes the nuclear waste and burns off any usable material in it for energy and leaves us with concentrate nuclear waster which can be ten to a hundred times more toxic.

Thanks but No Thanks.

[Suicide Junkie]

"Burn it until it is cold enough to eat"

[ToddT]

Nuclear power is not any better long term then fossil fuels, in that, theres estimated to be around 100 years worth of usuable fuel, to meet current and future energy needs.
There is a work around but has some nasty pit falls. Breeder reactors, current designs not upto the task but researching new ones deffinitely not politically viable.
Breeder reactors readily produce weapons grade nuclear materials.
Actually highr gas prices do have an upside they make alternatives more viable economically.
SUV's where built in part because they did not have to meet mileage and emmission standards of cars, resulting in lower production costs to auto makers(its not just the higher markups they get). SUV's in part where a quick fix to bottom lines. and we all know what quick fixes often lead to.

[Renegade 13]

KlvinoHRGA said:
I read about that too, basically it takes the nuclear waste and burns off any usable material in it for energy and leaves us with concentrate nuclear waster which can be ten to a hundred times more toxic.

Thanks but No Thanks.

Nope, that's not what I was referring to. I'll see if I have some time to do some research and find some links for you to look at. This waste would be much less toxic, not more.

It's too bad space flight isn't more reliable; we could then just send nulear waste into the sun!