The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently reported that petroleum sales are likely to fall this year, but costs will remain high. With a slowing economy and high fuel costs the EIA report says the consumption of liquid fuels will drop by approximately 85,000 barrels per day. Nevertheless, the price per barrel will likely average $101 for the 2008 year - a price $7 higher than last month's outlook. Gas at the pump is said to be $3.54 a gallon on average this summer, with the possibility of prices hitting $4 a gallon in California and the Midwest. [Source: Energy Information Administration]
Oil Prices to Remain High
The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently reported that petroleum sales are likely to fall this year, but costs will remain high. With a slowing economy and high fuel costs the EIA report says the consumption of liquid fuels will drop by approximately 85,000 barrels per day. Nevertheless, the price per barrel will likely average $101 for the 2008 year - a price $7 higher than last month's outlook. Gas at the pump is said to be $3.54 a gallon on average this summer, with the possibility of prices hitting $4 a gallon in California and the Midwest. [Source: Energy Information Administration]
Big Oil
Despite hard economic times and rising fuel prices Big Oil companies are making record profits. Consequently, the Vermont State Senate has called on Attorney General William Sorrell to begin a criminal investigation of major oil companies. Not knowing where the investigation may go, Sorrel is looking to find evidence of possible price-fixing, consumer fraud, or other unlawful activity. Exxon Mobil Corp. made a record $40 billion last year, while Roland Bellavance, head of a Barre trucking company and president of the Vermont Truck and Bus Association has said his company is spending $1.5 million more this year to fuel his fleet. The senate resolution also calls for Sorrel to partner with other states in this investigation. [Source: Burlington Free Press]
Money From Other Places
Roads in dire need of repair find the money, but not without some bad news to multi-modal projects. Brattleboro roads suffered, as did so many others in the state, this winter. Deep ruts in town and state highways have cost drivers their car's alignment, flat tires, and time. This will soon be fixed, but not without additional costs. Brattleboro, for one, will no longer receive money for its multi-modal project from the state this year. Although, the federal government will still provide Vermont with money for bike/ped and like projects, the state has redirected its $114,000 multi-modal allotment to the road emergency fix-up fund. The multi-modal project in Brattleboro has already seen a two year delay, and John Leisenring, Brattleboro's finance director, says the project isn't getting any cheaper. [Source: The Reformer]
Slow Down & Save Some Money
Slowing down could make driving significantly cheaper. During the energy crisis of the 1970's a 55 mile per hour (mph) highway speed was instituted as a response to gas pumps running out of fuel. Today the most efficient speed remains in the 55 mph range. Although very unlikely that posted speeds will drop, making the decision to drive slower could save people a pretty penny. Driving fast affects your wallet so much that once you hit 60 mph on the highway, each additional 10 mph (70, 80, 90...) is equivalent to the price of gas rising by 54 cents a gallon. Roger Clark, a fuel economy engineer for General Motors says at highway speeds pushing air around takes up 40% of the vehicles energy. Drivers lose approximately 4 miles per gallon with each 10 mph jump in speed. [Source: CNN Money]
Food or Fuel?
Riots are breaking out around the world in Haiti and Egypt over the high prices of food. High fuel prices are also influencing violence in impoverished nations, while also leading to an increase in the use of ethanol and biodiesel in Europe, the U.S., and other wealthier nations. With the increased demand for ethanol and biodiesel, coming predominantly from food crops, a web of high food and fuel prices is causing complications. The price of corn in the U.S. has more than doubled in the last year driven partly by the demand for ethanol. World Bank President Robert Zoellick says biofuels are a major factor in the spike of food prices. [Source: NPR]
In National Clean Cities News...
"PHEV Publicity"
Vermont makes the National Clean Cities News with the PHEV report released by the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center, the host of the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition, and partners. [Source: U.S. Department of Energy]
Vermont makes the National Clean Cities News with the PHEV report released by the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center, the host of the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition, and partners. [Source: U.S. Department of Energy]
In Other Vermont Transportation News...
Questions on Vermont's Energy Future
Passing of the state's energy bill sees questions from the Transportation Committee and others. [Source: Burlington Free Press]
$500K
It is official Bennington will receive $500,000 from an earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch for a pedestrian underpass. [Source: Bennington Banner]
Toxins & Transit
Site in Montpelier with plans for a multi-modal transit and welcome center with millions in funds already secured to be tested for PCBs... [Source: Times Argus]
Idle-Free Updates
Idling Updates from Idle-Free Vermont... Click Here!
Passing of the state's energy bill sees questions from the Transportation Committee and others. [Source: Burlington Free Press]
$500K
It is official Bennington will receive $500,000 from an earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch for a pedestrian underpass. [Source: Bennington Banner]
Toxins & Transit
Site in Montpelier with plans for a multi-modal transit and welcome center with millions in funds already secured to be tested for PCBs... [Source: Times Argus]
Idle-Free Updates
Idling Updates from Idle-Free Vermont... Click Here!
A Glimpse into Transportation at Large...
Diesel vs. Hybrid
New diesel-powered passenger cars are beginning to hit the market. They may not be quite as clean as other vehicles on the road, but could get better fuel mileage. Should hybrids be nervous? [Source: Business Week]
Alternative Fuel Vehicles on the Rise
Approximately 1.8 million alternative-fuel vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year - a 15% increase over 2006 sales. [Source: EE News]
Bike Library
Fort Collins Colorado has a new library in town - a bike library. [Source: The Denver Channel]
Silent Hybrids
Hybrid cars cause a problem for the blind. [Source: The Examiner]
Telecommute
Read up on telecommuting in the most recent release of The Teleworker.
New diesel-powered passenger cars are beginning to hit the market. They may not be quite as clean as other vehicles on the road, but could get better fuel mileage. Should hybrids be nervous? [Source: Business Week]
Alternative Fuel Vehicles on the Rise
Approximately 1.8 million alternative-fuel vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year - a 15% increase over 2006 sales. [Source: EE News]
Bike Library
Fort Collins Colorado has a new library in town - a bike library. [Source: The Denver Channel]
Silent Hybrids
Hybrid cars cause a problem for the blind. [Source: The Examiner]
Telecommute
Read up on telecommuting in the most recent release of The Teleworker.
Weekly Petro-Stats
Gas at the Pump, Vermont
This Week (April 9-14) = $3.333/gallon
Last Week (April 3-8) = $3.264/gallon
Crude Oil Futures
This Week (April 9-14) = $110.72/barrel
Last Week (April 3-8) = $106.91/barrel
This Week (April 9-14) = $3.333/gallon
Last Week (April 3-8) = $3.264/gallon
Crude Oil Futures
This Week (April 9-14) = $110.72/barrel
Last Week (April 3-8) = $106.91/barrel
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