Should the US fuel reserve be tapped to help control skyrocketing fuel prices?

GDO Reader Opinions

Many feel that the size of our reserves are inconsequetial compared to our current consumption level.

Is there anything else that can be done to control skyrocketing fuel costs or are we simply an open checkbook for world oil suppliers?

What do you think Gwinnett?

Click Here to submit your response and we'll post what we can in the near future.

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Email Response:

I do not like to have the feeling I am being used by our government or any other country.

Our economy is being used and abused by the oil rich east while they build more luxury palaces,hotels and playgrounds for their pleasure. Our young men and women in the military are fighting terrorists that are harbored by these same countries!

Enough is enough! We need to voice our disgust with our elected officials loud and clear. Tap the reserve, support hybrid technology, boycott for a day by refusing to buy gas. Let the government know that we are the ones that have elected them and they can be replaced!

R. Hill - Duluth, Ga

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Email Response:

I think there is no shortage of fuel and the prices are being driven up to help economy and if there is a shortage of course tap the reserves.

Diesel fuel has always been 50 cent a gallon cheaper than gas and now its 20 cent more.what the hell is this about ?

Joey - Dallas,Ga

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Email Response:

I do not think we should drill in Antarctica that will only prolong the inevitable and that we need to find better, cheaper and cleaner fuel and
transportation solutions now.

The government needs to accelerate that process now with the idea that oil will just become a trend of the past.

What about all those disposal diapers polluting the earth!

I know there is someone smart enough to do something with those!

V. Vance - Lawrenceville Ga

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Email Response:

The real issue is not the releasing of the oil reserves, it is building new refineries so that oil can be processed.

The prices go up because gas usage is up and our refineries are maxed out.

It's supply and demand.

We have not built any new refineries in over twenty five years.

Build more refineries and you'll see the prices go down.

Ned Brogdon - San Jose, CA

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Email Response:

Keep Oil Reserves Safe

Oil Reserves are a strategic asset to be used when the National Security of the United States is jeopardy.

Using the Oil Reserves to satisfy our misuse of this product by driving Gas Guzzlers and Excess Speeds is not a priority.

Higher Gas Prices and Smaller Cars seems to be the only answer that we Ugly Americans can understand.

We could also use extended Mass Transit to the Suburbs.

G.L. Burel

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Email Response:

Oil reserves and the strategic oil supply

The problem with the oil situation is due to various issues, and I’ll
discuss the major points here.

First, the global oil supply is and always has been a product of the current
supply and demand for oil. When oil was $10 per barrel, we had it easy
because we had the refining capacity and we had many fewer buyers of oil
products compared to what we have now. Both India and China are using up
significant capacity right now because of their economies. This is good in
a way and bad at the same time. We need their economies to be strong
because this promotes freedom and capitalism. However, it’s bad because the
quantity demanded of oil products is much higher than it was even 5 years
ago. This high quantity demanded drives the price of goods and services up.
For the record, India and China aren’t producing much oil on their own and
this lack of production in their own countries hurts the price because the
supply is shrinking and the demand is increasing.

Second, the environmental lobby in this country and the US EPA have
hamstrung the ability to use all the resources that our own country has
available. In the ANWR there is enough oil for close to half the US
economy. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil by half would significantly
reduce the price globally as the US is the largest user of oil and oil
related products globally. It’s simple economics. The fewer folks wanting
oil from the Middle East, the lower their price will be. However, the key
ingredient in this oil drilling equation is the refining capacity issue.
The US government has not allowed refineries to be built in the last 25
years, and it’s just as hard to expand an existing refinery. There are also
many blends of oil that have to be made to reduce sulfur nationally. The
manufacturing of these blends is costly, and it’s completely unnecessary.
We need to make 3 blends of oil—regular, mid grade and premium. The
environmental wacko radicals have also tried to block using corn ethanol in
gasoline. This would slightly affect the product and make it a little
cheaper. We need to continue to blend corn ethanol with gas to reduce the
price nationally since corn is a renewable resource. The ANWR needs to be
utilized fully. People are more important than animals, and we’ve already
proven that we can drill safely and industrialize in a way that makes little
or no impact on wildlife areas. Even if we didn’t do it perfectly, so what?
If a few caribou have to be put out because we need the oil, the so be it.
They’ll adapt. There’s nobody living up there in ANWR anyway. The people
in Alaska want this to happen, and it would greatly help their own economy.
It’s good for individuals and good for the country, and it was a good move
for the Senate to approve it.

Lastly, I guarantee you that the American public and other consumers
worldwide would embrace a technological change in how automobiles run and
what fuels are used if:
a. there isn’t a performance drop-off compared to what we
already have now
b. the cost is no more expensive as it is now to operate

The American public has proven time and time again that they will embrace
change if it’s realistic. The reason electric cars aren’t the rage is
because they cost too much for what you get, it’s not easy to refuel them
and the performance is terrible. We, the American public, have provided
technology for the world for years, and we don’t want to jump back to the
Stone Age when it comes to cars and performance. We deserve inexpensive
fuels because we are the leader in all economic facets of life globally. If
it weren’t for us, there would be no booming economies in other parts of the
world. It’s plain and simple. We deserve the least expensive and highest
quality of everything because of what we’ve sacrificed for the rest of the
world. It’s completely fair and right. When unwanted products are forced
on the American public, bad things happen. Companies fail miserably. Make
your alternative product widely available, priced right and easy to buy—and
the American public will flock to it.

The fuel problem will not be solved overnight or by handling only one of
these three main issues. All of these will have to be attacked aggressively
and simultaneously and without environmental roadblocks. The American
public appreciates a better mousetrap, and they’ll embrace it if these
principles and maxims are adhered to.

Thanks,

JS Roark - Buford