How cheap is your local Gasoline?

“What car you driving Zac? What about a motorcycle as an alternative in the summer?

It is a problem that unless you live in a big city then public transport isn't even an option.
last edited: 4/24/06 9:55:32 AM”

“Saw it as high as $3.05 this past weekend.”

“It is a problem that unless you live in a big city then public transport isn't even an option.

...and even if you do live in a big city the public transpertation probably sucks...you have to have a college degree to figure out our buss schedule and you'd have to give yourself at least 2-3 hours extra time each way”

“DC metro is pretty good really - I use it every day. Not really used the buses though there does seem to be a lot of them.”

““What car you driving Zac? What about a motorcycle as an alternative in the summer?”
Y2
10:54:10 AM
4/24/06
ignore this user

I have a '98 Forester 5-speed. It averages about 27mpg in summer and 25mpg in winter. I've gotten 30mpg with it a couple of times, but that was strictly highway driving. I just paid the car off a couple of months ago. I plan on keeping it for a while, so I can stay away from having to make car payments. I'm hoping I can get at least another 100k on the engine. I actually thought about a motorcycle a while ago and maybe it’s time to look at that option again a little more seriously. The thing I’m hesitant about is the fact that people drive fairly aggressively in my area and they don’t care what you are driving. I’ve already been rear-ended once and have had at least 5 other near misses over the past 3 years.”

“they are starting a train system here in Nashville. The train will start approx 40 miles outside of Nash. with various stops along the way. The train will have two runs in the morning and evening. If I worked downtown I would be on it in a heartbeat.”

“There was talk of putting in a commuter rail in my area a few years ago. Unfortunately political squabbling prevented the project from happening. Maybe the current situation with gas prices will bring the project back. I live about 6 miles from one of the train stations that was supposed to be involved and my office is supposed to be moving in the near future which would place it within a few blocks of the rail line.”

“I just read this in a news article.
"Merrill Lynch reports that each 1-cent rise in gas prices sucks $1.3 billion a year from consumer spending. At $3.00-a-gallon gas prices are one dollar higher than last year, that's $130 BILLION gone from American wallets." If this is accurate that's a lot of money being sucked out of consumer spending.”

“Y2 - it's good if your not doing the "reverse commute"; leaving the city to work.

;)”

“Here you go Zac
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4930794.stm

BM, as long as I don't try to get on at metro center at about 5.30 then it's great for me.”

“The Baltimore MTA has raised the fares and cut some service since Governor Herr Erlich has taken over.

The following is not related to gas prices but is relevant to the fact that citizens are going be stressed financially in two important categories, especially those who are just getting by already without increases for things that they cannot do without.

He has also done practically nothing about an impending 72% increase for electricity rates.
The corporation, think ENRON, claims that they must charge "market rate" which is not related to the cost of LOCAL generation.

I'll go along with corporations being responsible to their share holders, but who is advocate for the citizens if not the state executive elected by the people?

Erlich is going along with the corporations and proposed phasing in the increase, but not reducing it at all.

The legislature may yet over-ride the guv's veto power and look out for the interests of those who elected them.”

“The current mileage reimbursement is $0.445/mile. Last year from Aug to Dec it was $0.485/mile.

I was able to pay for spending money to Jamaica, beach trip in Oct, spending money for a company beach trip in July, and 4 days family camping trip in the Smokies all off of my mileage reimbursement during last year. This year I'm saving all of it and it will pay for about 80% of my April 07 trip back to Jamaica.”

“I almost fell over today I went by a retail store that sell gas and the price was the same as it was yesterday.”

“This past weekend a bass fishing tournament was held just down the river from me. There were 275 boats entered. Many boats ran in excess of 200 miles running all the way to the edge of the Gulf of Mexico during the day. Most boats burned between 50 and 100 gallons of fuel. Gas is still cheap folks.”

“Bush to Suspend Oil Reserve Deposits By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
8 minutes ago (off Yahoo news)



WASHINGTON - President Bush moved Tuesday to temporarily halt deposits to the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, making more oil available for consumer needs while seeking to relieve pressure on pump prices.

Bush also announced steps to ease environmental standards governing fuel grades.

The moves came as political pressure intensified on Bush to do something about gasoline prices that are expected to stay high throughout the summer.

Bush said the nation's strategic petroleum reserve had enough fuel to guard against any major supply disruption over the next few months.

"So, by deferring deposits until the fall, we'll leave a little more oil on the market. Every little bit helps," he said.

The reserve holds 685 million barrels, available for use in an emergency.

Bush also called on oil companies, which are enjoying record profits, to increase their investments in alternate sources of oil.

During the last few days, Bush asked his Energy and Justice departments to open inquiries into whether the price of gasoline has been illegally manipulated, said White House press secretary Scott McClellan.

It's unclear what impact, if any, Bush's investigation would have on prices that are near or at $3 a gallon or more. Asked if Bush had any reason to suspect market manipulation, McClellan responded, "Well, gas prices are high right now, and that's why you want to make sure there's not."

Republicans who control Congress have become concerned that the high cost of filling up could become a problem for them in the November elections. Polls suggest that voters favor Democrats over Republicans on the issue, and Bush gets low marks for handling gasoline prices.

The administration sent letters Tuesday to state attorneys general urging them to vigorously enforce state law "against any anticompetitive, anticonsumer conduct in the petroleum industry."

"Consumers around the nation have expressed concerns about what they have perceived as anticompetitive or otherwise unfair conduct by the world's major oil companies," said Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. Their letter said federal agencies had substantially increased efforts to monitor, detect and prevent any violations of the law.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., urged Bush in a letter Monday to order a federal investigation into any gasoline price gouging or market speculation.

"There is no silver bullet," Frist said Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America," but "we need to make sure that any efforts at price-gouging be addressed and addressed aggressively." Meanwhile, Frist said, consumers should take steps to conserve gasoline — drive at slower speeds, tune up car engines for maximum efficiency and carpool.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada dispatched his own letter, calling for a multi-pronged approach to restrain gas prices. Among the steps were swift enactment of anti-price gouging legislation, an appeal to oil companies to refrain from further price increases, use of more alternative fuels and increased attention to existing fuel-saving laws and regulations.

Bush has said consistently that gas prices are high because global demand is rising faster than global supply and that the problem cannot be solved overnight.”

“I realize that commuting by bicycle is not viable for everyone, but for many, many people it is. I started doing it last year - 36 miles roundtrip - and I fell in love with it.

I don't do it every day of the week, and I kind of wimped out during the colder parts of the winter, but boy it sure gives me an energized feeling all day long when I ride in to work.

It's kind of like backpacking. You have to jump the hurdle and just do it for the first time. Then you will say, "that wasn't so difficult". It takes a little while to figure out what works best for you (gear, clothing, route to work). It sure is fun when you get it dialed in though.”

“Hmmmm. Record oil company profits fueling record gas prices, so now he'll suspend the Clean Air regulations.
Yeah, that's the solution. Makes me sick.”

“One of the benefits of moving into town is the gas savings. Prior to the move I filled up my Toyota Tacoma about twice a week at about $30 per fillup. After the move I fill up between one and two times per month. Net savings is $180-$210 per month. There are additional and obvious benefits to walking most places.”

“WASHINGTON - President Bush moved Tuesday to temporarily halt deposits to the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, making more oil available for consumer needs while seeking to relieve pressure on pump prices.

With hurricane season rapidly approaching I'd like to see the strategic reserve full. What is amazing is that it is actually emptied at times to help lower the price of oil. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is our ultimate strategic reserve in my opinion. That oil should be saved for future generations as a strategic reserve. I much rather pay for foreign oil now and save what we have for post "Peak Oil" when the oil wars really get cranking.”

“Gas is still rising in New Jersey at an average rate of $.10/gal/week with no signs of slowing down. We're now averaging about $2.90/gal and there's lots of talk that we might even see $4/gal this summer if not more...

With a 35-mile each-way commute to work to the middle of absolutely nowhere, taking my car is literally my only option. Besides, unless you're travelling to New York City in the rush hour, mass transit in New Jersey is virtually non-existent.

If this trend doesn't change sometime soon, I may have to look for a closer job... :(”

“Pawn shops are seeing a boost in business from high gas prices. People have been pawning items to pay for gas.”

“Hey PS, how many of those miles could you cover by bike?

I know of people who commute that entire distance by bicycle. Granted, that takes someone who is really in to cycling to do that kind of commute. But think about it, they work productive jobs a significant distance from their homes without using a drop of petro.

They seem to know what they are doing.

I also know of many people that only drive half way to work and bike the other half. It doesn't matter if it is the first half of your commute or the second half that you drive, the environment doesn't know the difference.”

“I heard on the news that New York State may put a cap on their gas tax. The State would only tax up to $2 a gallon. If this goes through it would reduce gas by 10 cents per gallon right now.

Gas prices have finally stabilized in my area and have been $3.10 since Friday night.”

“Bend over and fill 'er up!

Will that be regular or ethyl?”

“Bicycle commuting is good, but if you have a job where you have to look good when you get there you may need some type of shower facility. I rode a motorcycle for years 8 months out of the year and since it got 75 MPG it was cheaper than even riding a bicycle. Back then, gas wasn't as expensive as it is now so it cost me less to put gas in that motorcycle than it would have cost to put food in my body to ride by bicycle the same distance. It was easier to cope with as far as rain and the sweat factor of a bicycle. I think the best solution for some people that can't use public transportation, car pooling or bicycle is to use a small commuter car like a Honda Fit or Smart car if you can get one. They have similar mileage of a motorcycle without the danger, weather factors, etc. For people just wanting to get their body from here to there it makes sense to me if gas prices keep rising. It seems like a lot of people stuck in city traffic are alone sitting in a big SUV, pick up or bigger car than necessary just for commuting.”

“A common misconception about using bike/transit to lessen traffic congestion, etc. is that it is necessary to completely switch to the alternative mode. No. If everyone who currently drives to work did something other than drive to work during the peak hour just once a week, you would get a 20% reduction in traffic!

Certainly everyone can't ride their bike to work. But most people can either ride, take a bus or train, work from home, or come to work an hour early once a week. Presto! Congestion solved. When cars are moving instead of crawling along stopping and going, they use a lot less fuel and produce a lot less emissions.

Me? I drive to work most of the time. But at least once a week I drive outside of the peak hour (before or after; got in at 7:15 this morning), and during the summer, ride the bike to work once a week or so on days when I don't have a meeting. It's about 5-6 miles, so if I go at a relatively easy pace I don't get sweaty. On the way home, I can ride faster because that is then my "workout" for the day.”

“Gas station sued for selling cheap gas. Warning, video link.

http://robots.cnn.com/video/law/2006/04/26/sillman.sc.gas.station.lawsuit.wyff/video.ws_noads.asx”

“i bet your legs would know the difference if you were towing your car behind your bike for the first half of the way to work.
last edited: 4/26/06 8:56:22 AM”

“Tech...yep thank God for government. You know I wonder if there was a law that would make the loser pay (heck if the loser cannot pay let the attorney with their liability insurance) for lawsuits. Imagine trying this in a court....!”

“I rode my bike yesterday for the first time in a couple of years. Because I am completely aware of where I am posting, there will be no description of my butt trauma.”

“I am refraining from a rant that would normally be placed in the Fuego threads. Mostly pretaining to the socialistic tendencies of this country, I won't do it...trying really hard not to rant!

The story is concerning. I don't even know if my state (MI) has a law on the books like that. A shame if there is. Anti-capitalist. Pitiful.”

“Silly ductape, you wouldn't tow your car, you just put it in the basket on the front of your bike.

I should have clarified. If you are willing to leave your car overnight somewhere between your home and workplace, you can bike the section between your house and where you leave the car.”

“http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

Good for those out of town trips.”

“I STUCK IT TO THE MAN!!!!!


thats right,
i pulled up in my work truck to get gas and incerted my credit card then started to enter my info.
the guy came out and started sayin, "wait wait sorry but your going to have to cancel your card and wait a moment while we change the gas prices"


EXCUSE ME?

I dont think so. we went back and forth but in the end I won out and got my gas $.02 cheaper then the guy behind me.


SCREW THE MAN!”

“Mapes is such a REBEL!!!!!!! ;-)”

“it felt sooo good. i was pumping my fist in the air as I drove away. tteehhee

thats right, no messin with the maple!”

“I bet Mapes was blasting Born To Be Wild on her truck radio as she roared away!
LOL”

“lol, way to go Maple”

“Great article in the Post today how a bunch of Democratic politicians made their way down to my local gas staton to complain about gas prices - only several of them drove the one block from the Senate office building to the gas station!!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042602307.html”

“LOL good ol' Chuck Schumer was one of ones that drove.”

“I seriously think it would actually take longer to drive there than walk.I guess they could have been heading somewhere else afterwards, but still.”

“Even funnier - Hastert hold a similar press conference, but drives off in a hybrid, only someone follows him and snaps a picture of him switching to his SUV!!!!! LMAO!!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060427/480/dcpm10904272019

”

“China is forming a deal with Cuba where they will drill 50 miles off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico to tap a reserve of oil half the size of the Arctic reserve. They are combing the globe and trying to access any supplies of oil they can.”

“Gasoline is not cheap”

“Today I paid the highest price I have ever paid for gas. $2.999/gal, and that was after my Safeway club card 6-cent/gal discount that I earn every time I buy $50 of groceries.”

“Gas prices have started to drop in my area. We're down to $3.06.”

“"$2.73 a Gallon? Not at First Fuel Banks
By GREGG AAMOT, AP

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (May 7) - Most motorists are feeling the pain as gasoline creeps toward, or over, $3 a gallon - but not Art Altrichter.


Pain at the Pump
"This feels pretty good!" Altrichter said as he filled the tank of his Ford F-150 pickup for $2.03 a gallon on Thursday, when the average here was $2.73. "Right now, to be a few pennies over $2, when it's as high as it is? That's a real deal."

A year ago, the retired milk truck driver bought 500 gallons of gas at First Fuel Banks, locking it in at the then-current price of $2.03 a gallon. He taps that reserve whenever gas rises above that mark. If the retail price drops below $2.03, he can leave his reserve alone and buy elsewhere.

First Fuel Banks bills itself as the only retailer in the country where customers can buy gasoline for the future and hedge against rising prices. It advertises no service charge and no storage charge, just a $1 lifetime membership fee.

Altrichter said one of his neighbors got in at First Fuel Banks several years ago and is now withdrawing from a reserve that cost him 99 cents a gallon. "How about that!" he said.

Both people and businesses buy gas from the company, which has six stations in and around this central Minnesota city. The city of St. Cloud fills its fleet of cars at the company's stations.

The program is open to anyone who drives off the street. Customers buy whatever amount they want at the current price - the most ever purchased in advance was $400,000 worth - then swipe a card and key in a PIN number when they draw from their reserve.

Chief executive Jim Feneis, who runs the company with his brother, Dan Feneis, said 300 of its members are still filling up with gas that cost them less than a buck a gallon as recently as 2002. Many more are locked in under $2.

"We're offering a pretty attractive concept to the savvy buyer," Feneis said.

Each station has a 50,000-gallon tank for each grade of gasoline - regular, mid-grade and premium - compared with 6,000 to 8,000 gallons for each product at a typical convenience store, Feneis said.

That's enough capacity to handle short-and medium-term demand, he said. For people holding onto reserves for a year or longer, the company hedges its obligations by buying gasoline futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

First Fuel Banks started with a single station in 1982 and now has about 8,000 members, Feneis said. It makes its money just by selling gasoline, diesel and some specialty fuels since its stations aren't convenience stores. He said it has less than 5 percent of the St. Cloud area market. But he said it's just one part of a larger business, East Side Oil Co., that has other divisions such as oil recycling.

"Our 43-year-old family fuel business is happy, healthy and completely debt-free," Feneis said. "And I think we're definitely the minority."

A few other stations in the country have tried a similar approach, but none have succeeded, he said.

Lance Klatt, executive director of the Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association, can understand why: price volatility and risk.

"There's no margins anyway" in the gasoline business, said Klatt.

It was a new idea to Ron Planting, an economist with the American Petroleum Institute in Washington. "But in the Northeast and maybe elsewhere there are heating oil dealers that do something similar with a customer who wants to lock in a price for the current heating season," he said.

Sheila Hallerman learned about First Fuel Banks when she received a gift card a year ago, and a few months ago she bought 100 gallons at $2.40.

"It still hurts," she said of shelling out more than $2 for a gallon. "But not as much as it could."

Associated Press Writer Steve Karnowski contributed to this story from Minneapolis."



kick ass! im moving to minnesota. lizs, move over!”

“$3.25 at my town's (only) handymart gas station. $3.09 in the next town over.”

“sux2bu”

“local wal-mart had regular $2.59 gallon
If you run into a Sierra Club member be sure and thank him/her for the high price of gas. They are stopping us from drilling off the coast in the Gulf but China is funding Cuba to angle drill our oil. Thanks sierra Club.”