By Mallory Sherwood, Managing Editor
Face the Facts
Driving around town, one can’t help but notice the rising prices of gasoline every few days. The rumor of boycotting gas stations lingers in the air, as does the possibility of people driving less when prices hit $3. Prices aren’t getting any cheaper. In fact, they have almost reached the all-time high we hit in the 1980s when prices were inflated.
People need to learn to be more energy conscious, less dependent on vehicles and more dependent on mass transportation or the feet God gave them.
According to howstuffworks.com, Americans use 65 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel each year. This amount is targeted to increase 2.6 percent each year. Even if gas prices remain where they are today, the cost of those billions of gallons is higher than my TI-83 plus calculator is able to calculate.
In addition to using 65 billion gallons of gasoline per year, Americans also drive 2.5 trillion miles per year, which is equivalent to 14,000 round trips to the sun. This is driving twice as much as we did 20 years ago.
Many might be surprised to learn that the United States is actually the second largest producer of gas in the world with Texas being the leading producer in the states, yet we still import half of the crude oil needed to supply all of the drivers today. That is a lot of gas coming into this country to be used on vehicles.
This past week I paid $2.49 at the Citgo station off of Highway 80 and filled up my car for $30. I never thought I would say that $2.49 is a good price for gasoline.
At an average of $2.49 a gallon, Texas gas prices are average compared to prices at the pump around the country. As of Wednesday, California still had the highest price at $2.72 per gallon, and the Rocky Mountain region had the lowest at $2.44 per gallon.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, prices rise due to many factors such as weather, world events and wars. In light of a strong hurricane season near the Gulf Coast, a war in Iraq and terrorist attacks in London, this makes sense.
Prices also rise because of the sheer volume of corporations involved to get crude oil to its usable form. In addition to paying for the oil to be dug up half way across the world, consumers also pay for the distribution across the country and the transportation overseas for the crude oil to arrive. As if that isn’t enough, consumers also pay 50 cents per gallon in taxes.
Overwhelmed with the math involved so far? Check out Abilene’s Web site at www.abilenetx.com/CityLink for the nearest bus route near you. CityLink offers 12 routes around town and one is specifically for ACU. Not the bus type? Check out the neighborhoods surrounding you and get a break on your health as well as a break on your wallet by walking to the grocery store, pharmacy, school, park and about 50 other places nearby.
Anyone up for a stroll?
