Here & There Column 5-10-11

Any Solution For Getting Robbed At The Pumps?

Do you feel that your getting ripped off when you fill your vehicle at the gas pump?
It doesn't help when we all hear that Exxon Mobil Corp. recently announced that its fourth quarter 2010 earnings rose almost 70 percent.
Of course we hear that a number of politicians urge the president to release some of the national oil reserves to help bring down the cost of gas but there are others who strongly say that there is no shortage of oil and that the steady rise in oil and gasoline prices is being pushed by price gougers and financial speculators.
In conversation with many locals here in the tri-county area folks are struggling to put just enough gas into their vehicles to get to work and the grocery store.
Makes one think if we are living in a true society when large oil companies rake in record profits and benefit from billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies.
The oil industry's excuse that the spike in oil prices have resulted because of the recent turmoil in the Middle East just doesn't float anymore and a question many ask is why isn't anyone doing anything about the financial speculators who artificially drive up the price of oil to pad their own profits.
Facts are facts and we are getting gouged.
When are we going to stand up and demand changes that will reduce our dependence on imported oil?
Transportation companies and upstate school districts are attempting to fight back with the purchase of propane-powered vehicles which they have found to be safe and much more economical to operate.......when gas was selling at $3.56 a gallon and diesel fuel at $3.55 a gallon, the price of propane was $1.90 a gallon.
This technology is starting to gain strength as propane is a nonrenewable fossil fuel that burns with few emissions.
Propane is said to offer significantly lower cost and vehicle manufacturers are building more models from cars to heavy trucks.
It will be interesting to watch if propane autogas becomes an alternative to regular gasoline. Some in the oil and gasoline industry have predicted $5 per gallon gasoline prices by Memorial Day.....our still fragile economy can't afford this, but, is there anyone who is going to stand up and do something that will stop all of us from this gas pump rip off?