how do they keep selling cars today

[GranCuda1970]

I disagree with your gas price asessment. I see and agenda by leftist to drive the price up to try and force alternatives when we really do not need any. The problem can be fixed by increasing domenstic production, Just announcing an increase in exploration and extraction would lower speculation. A new set of companies setting some of our production aside and adding it to our market to smooth the ups and downs. It all does not all need to go on the global market where dictators and communist manipulate the costs. I am not talking about nationalizing either, seperate companies privatly owned. It can be done. We would probably have to fight wallstreet and agenda driven politicians who have already sold out to special interests. But if there was enough new blood support it could be done.

[ViperMan]

Coal Companies will never completely switch to natural gas.  Natural Gas (turbine) plants are really only used to supplement times of very high demand, and with so many big power consumers (think automotive manufacturing plants) shutting down, going out of business, etc, there hasn't been much demand for natural gas plants lately.

My previous employer - American Electric Power - purchased a NG plant in Dresden, Ohio back in 2008 or '09, and hasn't run the thing yet.

Coal is still substantialy cheaper than Natural Gas, and is still much more efficient.  You have to burn a LOOOOOT of Natural Gas to turn a turbine.

And to address your other comments; yes, gas DOES have a "conveying" system - it's called piping.  And imagine how much we'd need if all coal plants were replaced with NG plants.  Ever heard of "transmission and distribution"?  It's one of the biggest aspects of the utility industry - moving electrons around this country.  Being a scheduler IN the Utility industry, I can probably pretty safely estimate that it'd take 20 YEARS to meet the T&D requirements of an "all-Natural-Gas" power generation demand.  Why do you think the "Pickens Plan" never panned out?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickens_Plan   <- Scroll down to the "timetable" section...  Even Pickens estimated 10 years just to meet 22% of the country's needs.  I'd say that's plenty of time for my company to switch gears. 

Plus, there are TONS of other materials that have, do, and will continue to need conveying systems - coke (not the soda,) minerals, stone, wood, etc.  And lastly, being a project controls professional really sets me up for work in nearly any industry.  I'd LOVE to become a scheduler for nuclear power generation - I get contacted for jobs all the time.  A few more years in the industry and I'll be golden. 

Personally Gumby your comment sounded like a bunch of conspiracy theories and fearmongering.  Inflation has been here for over 40 years.  Hell my dad had to install a locking gas-cap on his 1972 'Cuda - IN 1972 - because of inflation!  So go order some 99-cent cheeseburgers, rent a $1 Redbox movie and chill out, man!  Life's too short to spend all of it being paranoid.

 

[GranCuda1970]

I normally don't post CNN links but from this lists it clearly shows that Governements influence oil costs by taxes and regulation that increase the price at the pump. Also production and selling domestically before putting on global markets.


   
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/     

[GranCuda1970]

We could lower our costs at the pump if we did what Russia , Saudi arabia and Venezuela do . Supply our own needs as well.

[cudabeforeIdie]

We...  I mean - they... ...also get screwed on warranty work which often pays far fewer hours than standard "book" time.  I used to be a repair technician, so I've been there.

The problem is everyone wants a "deal" when they're going to get their car fixed, but those techs are just trying to get by like the rest of us.

And I am SO TIRED of people blaming OBAMA for higher gas prices.  The government doesn't have a DAMNED THING to do with the price of oil.  It's US, people - US.  It's the commodities market and speculation.  WE ARE DRIVING OUR OWN GAS PRICES.  And since we're all so adamant about the Government staying OUT of our daily lives, there's really nothing they CAN do about it, unless they literally shut down Wallstreet.

EDUCATE yourselves, instead of just watching CNN and thinking you've heard all the answers.

http://davefactor.blogspot.com/2011/03/so-why-is-gas-really-so-expensive.html

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/03/why-is-gas-so-expensive.html

http://consumerist.com/2007/05/why-is-gas-so-freakin-expensive.html

/rant

I'm confused on your opinion of warranty work... the dealership will be paid for the parts, and the hours charged to fix a rack, in or out of warranty, remain the same. Parts aren't R&R'd 'faster' because they're out of warranty or priced cheaper.

Secondly, this 'president' and his energy secretary have declared time and time again they WANT higher fuel prices in an attempt to force the sheeple into "green" energy alternatives, that's not FOX news, that's on every media stream.

Third, if Iran gets a hard on the price of oil spikes $5 a barrel. Do you mean to say if America actually started drilling for its oil on our shores, which is conservatively estimated to be greater than Saudi Arabia, "THAT" wouldn't rattle the oil markets the other way? Seriously?

[Gumby]

Coal Companies will never completely switch to natural gas.  Natural Gas (turbine) plants are really only used to supplement times of very high demand, and with so many big power consumers (think automotive manufacturing plants) shutting down, going out of business, etc, there hasn't been much demand for natural gas plants lately.

My previous employer - American Electric Power - purchased a NG plant in Dresden, Ohio back in 2008 or '09, and hasn't run the thing yet.

Coal is still substantialy cheaper than Natural Gas, and is still much more efficient.  You have to burn a LOOOOOT of Natural Gas to turn a turbine.

And to address your other comments; yes, gas DOES have a "conveying" system - it's called piping.  And imagine how much we'd need if all coal plants were replaced with NG plants.  Ever heard of "transmission and distribution"?  It's one of the biggest aspects of the utility industry - moving electrons around this country.  Being a scheduler IN the Utility industry, I can probably pretty safely estimate that it'd take 20 YEARS to meet the T&D requirements of an "all-Natural-Gas" power generation demand.  Why do you think the "Pickens Plan" never panned out?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickens_Plan   <- Scroll down to the "timetable" section...  Even Pickens estimated 10 years just to meet 22% of the country's needs.  I'd say that's plenty of time for my company to switch gears. 

Plus, there are TONS of other materials that have, do, and will continue to need conveying systems - coke (not the soda,) minerals, stone, wood, etc.  And lastly, being a project controls professional really sets me up for work in nearly any industry.  I'd LOVE to become a scheduler for nuclear power generation - I get contacted for jobs all the time.  A few more years in the industry and I'll be golden. 

Personally Gumby your comment sounded like a bunch of conspiracy theories and fearmongering.  Inflation has been here for over 40 years.  Hell my dad had to install a locking gas-cap on his 1972 'Cuda - IN 1972 - because of inflation!  So go order some 99-cent cheeseburgers, rent a $1 Redbox movie and chill out, man!  Life's too short to spend all of it being paranoid.

 

Hey, I appreciate and understand your posts and concerns. My job is to primarily deliver those coal shipments. There have been rumors of us losing contracts due to plants switching from coal to NG. I don't have any way of verifying those rumors. It's not a conspiracy theory to me. It potentially affects my livlihood. Other than that, it's all good. I WILL take your advice and rent a movie and get some grub and CHILL out though! lol. Thanks. Happy Easter type thingy - if you are into to that!

[cudabeforeIdie]

You're aware the Odummer administration has effectively banned coal plants, right?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2012/04/02/will-congress-save-coal-after-epa-carbon-ruling/

[GranCuda1970]

The EPA's days are numbered. We the people will get rid of them it is only a matter of time.

[GranCuda1970]

Liberals won't have the Senate and Whitehouse forever then real Change can happen.

[GranCuda1970]

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/03/22/report-oil-production-on-federal-lands-dropped-275000-barrels-a-day-in-2011

http://blog.heritage.org/2012/03/19/production-of-oil-gas-and-coal-on-federal-lands-sinks-to-nine-year-low/

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/oil-production-federal-lands-has-declined-under-obama

http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2012/03/22/study-increase-domestic-oil-production-under-obama-almost-entirely-non-federal-land

Obama has slowed oil production on federal lands, He could not stop it on non-federal lands.

The problem seems to be Obama!

[hpe600rt]

all this just drives me crazzy lol :clueless:do you think things will ever go back the way they wher 10 years ago

[GranCuda1970]

I don,t know seems thing only get worse. I will buy a chinese fortune cookie!!   

[Gumby]

You're aware the Odummer administration has effectively banned coal plants, right?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2012/04/02/will-congress-save-coal-after-epa-carbon-ruling/

Yeah, Sweetie, that's why I am concerned! lol

[hpe600rt]

thats what i see 2 people always say we need to do this or that to make things better for all of us and it just gets wourse.year after year maybee we wernt doing things so wrong before

[gkring]

all this just drives me crazzy lol :clueless:do you think things will ever go back the way they wher 10 years ago

I agree. It makes everyone nervous. Wonder if that is why all the doomsday prepper type shows are popping up? The higher prices aren't so bad, it is the uncertainty that gets people riled up. People change habits slightly when gas prices climb, but as you are seeing and we are seeing people don't start checking the bus schedules. I blame it on the ease with which people could get 7 year car loans and interest only home loans and live above their means for so long, which was only 10 years ago. I think what bothers people now is that they are being forced to live within their means or at the very least reevaluate how they are living. Sad thing is getting people back to manageable living standards hurt.