Not sure about Number 1 although I hate to see us deplete our reserves, but Number 2 will not work. (I have received that email several times too.)

 

Why do we have reserves?

Why do we have reserves?

 

In the advent of a complete or at least major shutdown of our foreign supplies, our reserve would allow us to continue essential government and industrial services and insure fuel for our military and defense. I do not like dipping into the reserve, especially when the Mideast is in such chaos.

After reading all of these posts I guess bringing back: S&H Green Stamps is totally out of the question ??:lol:

Why do we have reserves?

 

We have reserves because we aren't exactly popular in the middle east except for with Saudi Arabia, and that's a reach. I do not believe the Saudi's are our friends, they are our business partners.

 

Years ago we had oil cut off and we decided to make a reserve, when we should have done what Brazil did and make a new source. The Saudi's have us by the barrel and will for another 10 years at least. The Saudi's own at least 10% of America. But it could be a lot worse, it could be like Venuzuala and Iran who threaten to cut off oil every few months to feel strong about themselves. Chavez or the nutt in Iran can merely mention cutting oil shipments off and gas goes up 15 cents.

 

Even if we had to go to our reserves, we don't have a ton, and gas would sky rocket.

 

We are a good 10-20 years away from becoming energy independent. My advice, buy a fuel efficient car.

2:02 p.m. April 10, 2008

 

BISMARCK, N.D. – The government estimated Thursday that up to 4.3 billion barrels of oil can be recovered from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota and Montana, using current technology. The U.S. Geological Survey called it the largest continuous oil accumulation it has ever assessed.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20080410-1402-bakkenoil.html

2:02 p.m. April 10, 2008

 

BISMARCK, N.D. – The government estimated Thursday that up to 4.3 billion barrels of oil can be recovered from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota and Montana, using current technology. The U.S. Geological Survey called it the largest continuous oil accumulation it has ever assessed.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20080410-1402-bakkenoil.html

 

They seem to find these all the time but until one actually drops the price of oil even a dollar.. the jury is out on it.

We have reserves because we aren't exactly popular in the middle east except for with Saudi Arabia, and that's a reach. I do not believe the Saudi's are our friends, they are our business partners.

 

Years ago we had oil cut off and we decided to make a reserve, when we should have done what Brazil did and make a new source. The Saudi's have us by the barrel and will for another 10 years at least. The Saudi's own at least 10% of America. But it could be a lot worse, it could be like Venuzuala and Iran who threaten to cut off oil every few months to feel strong about themselves. Chavez or the nutt in Iran can merely mention cutting oil shipments off and gas goes up 15 cents.

 

Even if we had to go to our reserves, we don't have a ton, and gas would sky rocket.

 

We are a good 10-20 years away from becoming energy independent. My advice, buy a fuel efficient car.

 

One heck of a lot easier for Brazil to move to a new fuel source with its limited economy and energy needs (when compared to the U.S.) than for us to do it. Furthermore, we are already experiencing short term food price increases (and resulting complaints) as we gingerly more to more plant based energy sources. While I think such increases are short term (as grain production will increase dramatically due to the increased demand), such will not be without its detractors: many environmental groups will complain bitterly about previously natural lands being converted to grain producing lands. That's the problem with alternative fuel sources, every one will be opposed by some special interest group with clout in Congress (ethanol is already losing support rapidly in Congress). Harvesting wave energy is opposed by the protect the ocean group. Harvesting the wind is opposed by those that believe that it adversely affects migrating birds. Nuclear energy is opposed by a large bloc of people. Solar energy may be the least objectionable, but we haven't done it on a large enough scale in the U.S. to see who will be opposed and come out of the wood work and complain. Honestly, alternative fuels will not really be supported on the scale necessary by the govt and businesses until petroleum fuels become so expensive that the benefits of alternative fuels outway the disadvantages and the complaints. And we are not there yet, although we are certainly moving in that direction.

I'm really happy that the congressional political pony show had such a positive effect on the price of gasoline.

I belive our govt does not want gas lower than 2.25 anytime soon. Today McCain said cut the fed tax out and stop tapping the reserves but critics said that will "hike" demand again. The govt wants the SUV buyers and other gas guzzlers to taper off those type of cars.

 

A few years back I saw a Prius or another hybrid about once a week on the streets (driving 5 days a week). Now I am seeing one about every 2-3 days. The govt is trying to condition/taper us off the gas guzzlers. It's gonna take another 5-10 years.

I belive our govt does not want gas lower than 2.25 anytime soon. Today McCain said cut the fed tax out and stop tapping the reserves but critics said that will "hike" demand again. The govt wants the SUV buyers and other gas guzzlers to taper off those type of cars.

 

A few years back I saw a Prius or another hybrid about once a week on the streets (driving 5 days a week). Now I am seeing one about every 2-3 days. The govt is trying to condition/taper us off the gas guzzlers. It's gonna take another 5-10 years.

I have always said that environmentalists should be cheering rising gasoline prices instead of criticizing President Bush and the oil companies. Sustained high gas prices will lead to quicker development of alternative fuels by the private sector.

 

I agree that the federal government is probably not too concerned about high gasoline prices, provided the country does not slide into a recession as a result. We can handle a slow, steady rise in prices but a sudden doubling or tripling of prices (or worse) would devastate our economy. That is why I favor our military presence in the Middle East as long as a few governments are willing to host bases. $8.00/gallon gasoline in the near term would result in widespread misery in this country.