U.S. agency forecasts higher gas prices

[Mr_Spock]

By H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press Writer | April 7, 2005

WASHINGTON -- While gasoline costs have reached record levels, prices at the pump are forecast to go even higher in coming weeks because of growing demand, government forecasters said Thursday.

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The Energy Information Administration projected that average gasoline prices will peak at $2.35 a gallon in May. Motorists paid an average of $2.22 a gallon last week.

The statistical agency said that despite soaring costs at the pump, motorists are not easing off the roads. It projected demand for gasoline this summer at 9.3 million barrels a day, a 1.8 percent increase over last summer.

On average, regular grade gasoline is expected to cost $2.28 per gallon nationwide during the April through September period, said the EIA. Costs vary widely by region with gasoline in the West often 18 to 25 cents higher than the national average

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/04/07/us_agency_forecasts_higher_gas_prices/

[KlatooBNikto]

1. This comes under the dog bites man category.It would be real news if US

Agency predicts lower gas prices.

[lebkuchen]

2. True, but

I'm going to laugh my ass off when the drivers of the 4x4 behemoths start paying $4.00 a gallon.

[aneerkoinos]

6. Question:

Do you laugh your ass off at Euro drivers paying 5-6 buckaroos for a gallon of gas now?

[lebkuchen]

7. Europeans drive smaller cars, have a shorter distance to drive

primarily use diesel, earn a living salary, to include cradle to grave benefits/at least a one month vacation per year, AND ride bicycles/use public transportation to get to/from work. Europeans conserve on energy costs and are able to save/conserve in many other ways Americans have yet to fathom.

The 4x4/SUV drivers will suffer much more than any European ever will, and I will laugh.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

10. Why are Europeans naturally more concerned about ........

conservation? While living in England I recall having to unplug or or switch of the TV from the wall socket. Even the plug had a switch.

I understand that there could be more energy conservation in the U.S. if we were to unplug our appliances when they're not being used. They still suck up energy though not on.

They also would bring their own grocery bags into the markets.

[lebkuchen]

12. It's part of the culture, a throwback to the wars, perhaps

For example, Europeans would be loathe to carry a credit debt carried by the average American: $8,562. They have learned that if they turn off their lights/TVs when not in use, the savings add up.

Americans still don't get that.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

25. We don't get it and don't want to.

We've become a very shortsighted and selfish culutre compared to Europeans. I know they envy our life in many ways, but I respect them more and feel over the course of a life they have lived a more fulfilled life.

We're just too TV crazed and techno oriented. Add to that NASCAR and we're pretty slovenly and boring.

[all.of.me]

22. i do this all the time.

i have my tv/vcr/dvd player plugged into a power strip. when we're not using it, the strip gets turned off.

my coffee pot is unplugged unless it's brewing coffee.

those are my only appliances!

i read in a book on solar energy how things like remote controls suck the energy out of the batteries overnight, because, even though the tv looks like it's off, it has to be on for the remote to work. it's called 'phantom energy.'

welcome to du!

[Skittles]

9. they get a lot for their money

free health, dental, etc - we get squat

[lebkuchen]

15. Well, their taxes pay for it

What would you rather have? Health or an MX missile?

Greetings! :)

[Bigmack]

16. We got a bloated military...

We have a Trident base close to us, and we see the monster black subs with no mission going out all the time.

We have thousands of strategic nukes that could evaporate whole cities.

We have enormous tanks that are impregnable... except for the 80 or so that have been knocked out AFTER the Iraq war by homemade IED's.

We have aircraft carriers so big even Iran could knock them out with missiles bought from China.

We have bases scattered all over the globe... 725 of them... just begging for terrorist strikes.

We have an intelligence apparatus that couldn't find it's ass with both hands.

I pity those "Old Europeans" that don't have all that good shit. All they have is health care and a safety net.

[lebkuchen]

18. To quote the Pope (as rumored) on his deathbed,

Amen.

:)

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Wow, those guys are good. How do they do it?

[Kindigger]

5. May be a good thing

I've noticed less traffic already at $2.19.

[lebkuchen]

13. You'll probably be noticing more painted bicycle lanes soon

They're common-place in Germany.

[lastliberalintexas]

30. Actually, sarcasm aside, they're not even good

Do they honestly think the average price will only be $2.359 a gallon?! If so, they're idiots. If not, then it's just more whitewash reporting from this administration.

[ixion]

4. No duh. What was their first clue, I wonder?

We PAY people to do this? :eyes:

[Mr_Spock]

20. LMAO

Bush administration wan't to get something right - even if it's after the fact :rofl:

[redqueen]

8. Gee... really?!

:eyes:

[SleeplessinSoCal]

11. Anybody here drive an SUV?

I wonder what the actual increased gas prices adds up to. By my own calculator and unscientific system, I only add up about an extra $60 a month.

[Mr_Spock]

14. That's about right - $65/month different between SUV & wagon

It's just that people have budgets and it's an unexpected increase.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

26. Thanks. I'm thinking those who can afford the SUV....

can afford the extra 60 bucks.

[Mr_Spock]

27. Yeah, I guess they can afford an extra car payment every year

I wish I was that rich - people who make a lot less than I do drive around in these behemoths - I guess it's just a matter of priorities... :dilemma:

[Bigmack]

17. We pick up our Prius next friday....

It's not THE answer, but it's better than a Hummer. (I mean the vehicle!)

[cornermouse]

19. Let me know how it works out.

I've been looking at them.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

24. I'm Envious.

Hope to be able to afford one soon.

[Greyskye]

31. We LOVE our Prius!

It's the best car that either my wife or I have ever owned!

www.priuschat.com is an invaluable resource for new Prius owners.

[kineneb]

21. Place statement under heading..."Duh"

Let me see if I have this down correctly:
-BushCo invades Iraq to assure future supply of oil and beachhead in Middle East.
-They manage to honk off the locals who take up arms against "superior" military.
-Locals succeed in sabotaging oil pipelines, so no oil is being moved.
-BushCo is then surprised that the cost of petrol products go up.

Well, duh!

[not fooled]

23. Add "Duh":

...idiot SUV-drivin' *-supporting morans vote for the chimp because they expect him to kill enough Iraqis to steal cheap oil.

Except that * totally botches the invasion & occupation, plus has no REAL interest in providing cheap oil for the unwashed masses, PLUS basically encourages 'Murkans to squander oil by tax-subsidizing giant SUV purchases, so prices skyrocket, Big Oil enjoys record profits, and * couldn't give a flying eff that the citizenry is getting reamed.

Enjoy the record high gas prices, * supporters!

(unfortunately, the rest of us have to suffer too, but at least we didn't expect the chimp to ever do us any good).

[reprobate]

28. * totally botches the invasion..Of course. He botched everything else...

...he's done in life, why not this? I suspect no one who knew him expected anything else.

[fortyfeetunder]

29. Just one problem in a continuing legacy

of energy conservation blunders.

Started in the early 1980's when such R&D funds dried up because of the alleged oil glut.

edited for typo relief