Oil Investigation

Oil prices continue to break records rising above $115 a barrel just over a week ago. At the same time Exxon Mobil and other giant oil companies are experiencing record profits. Consequently, Vermonters and U.S. citizens nationwide are weary of the rich man getting richer while everyone else suffers at the pump. The call by the Vermont Senate for an investigation by the attorney general into gasoline and diesel market manipulation is the result of this phenomenon and has caused a bit of a spark. With this spark came the dispatch of the American Petroleum Industry's chief economist, John Felmy, to Montpelier to testify against the Senate Resolution. The lead sponsor of the resolution, Robert Starr, D-Essex-Orleans, says states need to come together on this investigation because those in D.C. are too invested in the oil companies. Felmy said he was astonished by this resolution - the first of its kind in the U.S. [Sources: Burlington Free Press 1 & Burlington Free Press 2]

Not Such a Smooth Ride

The Douglas Administration's Operation Smooth Ride has been everything but in the legislative process. The proposal that would put forth $3 million in funds for emergency road repairs has spent some time in the House Transportation Committee. As a result, Neale Lunderville, Transportation Secretary put a hold on priority road repair projects. When first proposed the question was, where is this $3 million coming from? Now the issue is where does this money go? The administration had planned to put the money toward Class 1 town highways, whereas the House Transportation Committee would like to see some of the money go to the towns. Other issues have also surfaced concerning this money and certain bridge projects in the state. In the meantime Vermont roads are in dire need of maintenance. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

Move Over America

The International Energy Agency has reported that emerging markets will consume more crude oil this year than the United States. This is the first time this has ever happened, says the Paris based agency. With a combined population of 2.45 billion people in China and India and an 8 percent growth in their economies car ownership and their demand for oil is on the rise. Russia and the Middle East are also among these emerging markets that are estimated to grow 4.4 percent and consume 20.67 million barrels a day compared to the U.S.'s estimated consumption of 20.38 million barrels a day. Consequently, crude oil prices will likely remain high at an average of $120 a barrel, topping $150 by the end of the decade, regardless of the U.S. economic downturn. [Source: Bloomberg]

The People on the Bus

Transit lines in Vermont are now reporting with confidence that ridership is up due to rising gas prices. Deerfield Valley Transit, the Brattleboro BeeLine, and Connecticut River Transit are just a few of the states' transit providers seeing jumps in ridership. The BeeLine expects their number of riders to hit 70,000 at the end of their 2008 year - a 20,000 rider increase over 2006. Connecticut River Transit has seen a 10 percent increase in both March and April and attributes people getting on the bus to their frustration at the pump. With increased ridership across the board, many of the Green Mountain State's bus companies are looking to better their services in any way possible, which for some means buying more buses, increasing routes, purchasing biodiesel, and most importantly looking for grant money. [Source: The Reformer]

Trail Finder

After two years of hard work, Local Motion, a bicycle, pedestrian, and alternative transport non-profit advocacy organization has launched its Trail Finder website for Chittenden County. The site, underwritten by Burlington's Ski Rack, offers easy access to 75+ trails. With the help of 50 volunteers who collected much of the information for the site, local Vermonters and visitors can now navigate the Trail Finder to retrieve maps, directions, as well as learn about special trail features. This new resource also allows those using it to submit photos and comments on the trails. The site was unveiled on Earth Day, April 22nd, just in time for the late spring early summer weather. Visit the Trail Finder at http://www.localmotion.org/ [Sources: Burlington Free Press & Local Motion]

Clean Cars and More

Burlington's Church Street, although typically only open to foot traffic, saw some vehicles grace its brick walkway on Earth Day. 10% Challenge Alliance for Climate Action in partnership with Vermont Clean Cities Coalition and others hosted its 4th Annual Clean Car (and more) Show on April 22nd. The show consisted of over 25 different vehicles, including a Solar Bus, a Smart Car, a Hydrogen Car, and several others. The show and other activities, drawing attention to initiatives working to reduce the threat of Global Warming, were an interactive way of getting Vermonters and visitors to Burlington involved in thinking about reducing our individual carbon footprints. If you were unable to attend the show view the video here. [Sources: WPTZ & Burlington Free Press]

In Other Vermont Transportation News...

Delayed Rail
With cut backs in funding improvements to the state's rail system will see more delays . [Source: Rutland Herald]



Bernie Attacks Bush
Vermont's Independent Senator, Bernie Sanders, attacked Bush's plan to reduce the use of fossil fuels while addressing Global Warming saying it is 7 years late and not nearly strong enough. [Source: WCAX]



Bike Safely
There are over 750 bicyclist deaths in the U.S. each year, 96% of them involve crashes with motor vehicles. As a result the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition teaches lessons in road safety. [Source: Times Argus]



Telecommunication Awards
Vermont Telecommunications Authority releases its 2008 grant winners... [Source: Burlington Free Press]



Food & Fuel
How food and fuel impact our environment... [Source: Times Argus]



Bellows Falls Transit Center
New Transit Center to be built in Bellows Falls says Connecticut River Transit . [Source: Rutland Herald]



$1 Million for the TRC
UVM Transportation Research Center awarded a million dollars from the Department of Transportation. [Source: Burlington Free Press]

A Glimpse into Transportation at Large...

Going Green
Engineers and designers in several industries including the auto industry will go green piece by piece. [Source: The Detroit News]



55 Years of Oil
Shell Oil Company says it has enough oil to maintain production at current levels for the next 55 years. [Source: Financial Times]



Gas Consumed
Vermonter's consumed 10 gallons of gasoline per person per week in 2006 - where do other states stand and where are we heading? [Source: Oakland Tribune]



Venezuela says...
Food for Fuel is criminal. [Source: Bloomberg]



Railroads are Full Steam Ahead
Rail is on the rise. [Source: Washington Post]



Suspend the Gas Tax?
Clinton and McCain see eye to eye on suspending the federal gas tax this summer. Obama, however, firmly opposes this proposal. What do you think? [Source: New York Times]

Weekly Petro-Stats

Gas at the Pump, Vermont

This Week (April 23-29) = $3.398/gallon
Last Week (April 15-22) = $3.421/gallon
Last Year (April 23- 30) = $2.860/gallon



Crude Oil Futures

This Week (April 23-29) = $117.45/barrel
Last Week (April 15-22) = $116.19/barrel