Within a few days, the price had dropped nearly 30 cents per gallon. Today, I filled up for $2.61 per gallon.
Gee, I wonder how that happened?
John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Showing posts with label high price of gas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high price of gas. Show all posts
06 October 2015
Let's Play "Remember When"
On September 10th, I wrote about the high price of gas in Anchorage; it was $3.27/gallon on that date. I mentioned that a couple of State legislators had just asked the Governor's office to investigate why, with the price of oil dropping from $105/barrel to $40, the price literally hadn't changed.
Within a few days, the price had dropped nearly 30 cents per gallon. Today, I filled up for $2.61 per gallon.
Gee, I wonder how that happened?
Within a few days, the price had dropped nearly 30 cents per gallon. Today, I filled up for $2.61 per gallon.
Gee, I wonder how that happened?
15 September 2015
Isn't That Interesting?
Isn't That Interesting? Dept: Gas prices dropped to $2.99 overnight. Fascinating, isn't it? That's down nearly thirty cents in five days. Strange how they couldn't do that before the State was asked to investigate.
Whiter Than White Dept: There was a LOT of snow in the mountains yesterday. I'll try to remember to grab a picture or two, if the rainclouds lift today. Meanwhile, leaves are dropping rapidly. Our temps this week will be nearly 10 degrees cooler* than last week, too. Seems like autumn's in a hurry, this year.
You Can't Always Get What You Want Dept: the Alaska Dispatch News has this story today.
Funny thing is, there's plenty of frontier up here, if you want it. We have 587,000 square miles, 90 percent of which is unpopulated, undeveloped, and completely devoid of roads.
Beware of Falling Rocks Dept:
* Highs this week around 50, with lows falling into the mid-30s by week's end.
Whiter Than White Dept: There was a LOT of snow in the mountains yesterday. I'll try to remember to grab a picture or two, if the rainclouds lift today. Meanwhile, leaves are dropping rapidly. Our temps this week will be nearly 10 degrees cooler* than last week, too. Seems like autumn's in a hurry, this year.
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| 9/14/15, from www.adn.com |
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| 9/14/15, from www.adn.com |
You Can't Always Get What You Want Dept: the Alaska Dispatch News has this story today.
I'm getting really tired of the various Discovery channels and subsidiaries trying to milk a few more dollars out of Alaska, no matter how contrived the stories/situations are.
Funny thing is, there's plenty of frontier up here, if you want it. We have 587,000 square miles, 90 percent of which is unpopulated, undeveloped, and completely devoid of roads.
Beware of Falling Rocks Dept:
A rock slide that temporarily closed the Seward Highway Monday came as a surprise to officials with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which had recently taken steps to prevent such slides in the Mile 113 area of the highway after a similar incident earlier this year.
The latest rock slide was reported around 8 a.m. Monday and stopped traffic between the Potter Marsh weigh station and McHugh Creek. DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy said this slide came down at the "exact same" location another rock slide that closed the highway on Feb. 19.
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| Workers remove one of the large boulders that fell onto the Seward Highway about a mile south of the Potter weigh station on Monday morning, Sept. 14, 2015. Bill Roth / ADN |
* Highs this week around 50, with lows falling into the mid-30s by week's end.
14 September 2015
Post #5,002: About Our High Gas Prices
On the 10th, I wrote about the exorbitantly high price of gasoline in these parts. It was $3.23/gallon for regular in Anchorage, and much higher elsewhere, here in the Last Frontier.
I told the story about how the price is deliberately escalated because of something that isn't actually the case. The price is based, we're told to believe, in a suppositional case of whimsy, hot air, "what if?" and "why not?"
I mentioned that two legislators in Juneau had petitioned the Governor's office to investigate, since our price was 80 cents above the national average - for no apparent reason other than greed.
Strangely enough, the price had already dropped to $3.08/gallon by yesterday. In only three days.
¿Por qué no me sorprende?
I told the story about how the price is deliberately escalated because of something that isn't actually the case. The price is based, we're told to believe, in a suppositional case of whimsy, hot air, "what if?" and "why not?"
I mentioned that two legislators in Juneau had petitioned the Governor's office to investigate, since our price was 80 cents above the national average - for no apparent reason other than greed.
Strangely enough, the price had already dropped to $3.08/gallon by yesterday. In only three days.
¿Por qué no me sorprende?
10 September 2015
Low Temps, High Prices
In Deadhorse, up on the North Slope, they have temps in the teens, with snow. Yep - global warming in action!
Not.
Meanwhile, we're having normal temps (upper 50s in the daytime) with the inevitable falls rain fronts, and lots of wind, here in southcentral. Could be worse.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, our gas prices ($3.23/gallon in south Anchorage) have prompted another cry for investigation from two - count 'em, two whole legislators - in Juneau.
According to the talking heads on local news, our prices tend to remain about 60 cents above the national average. But more on that in a bit.
Right now, we're 80 cents above. But the operators of our sole refinery (in Nikiski, in case anyone's keeping track) insist it's the law of supply and demand. Since they're all by their onesies, there's no competition, and therefore no reason to drop the price.
In 2008 - the last time anyone investigated high pricing - there were two functioning refineries. The one in North Pole hadn't yet closed; yet our prices were in the neighborhood of $4.37/gallon.
Why? Glad you asked.
"That's what it would cost," the refinery owners responded, "if we were to ship the crude to California to be refined, and then returned here for consumption."
"But that's not what we do," local reporters told them.
The reply was an oh-so-expressive shrug. Apparently, that's what we getting this time, too.
So.
Why are prices so high? Because the refinery can charge whatever it likes. Yes, it's capitalism in action. But is it reasonable, or greed? Only you can answer that.
It's not like we can go anywhere else for our gasoline.
Not.
Meanwhile, we're having normal temps (upper 50s in the daytime) with the inevitable falls rain fronts, and lots of wind, here in southcentral. Could be worse.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, our gas prices ($3.23/gallon in south Anchorage) have prompted another cry for investigation from two - count 'em, two whole legislators - in Juneau.
According to the talking heads on local news, our prices tend to remain about 60 cents above the national average. But more on that in a bit.
Right now, we're 80 cents above. But the operators of our sole refinery (in Nikiski, in case anyone's keeping track) insist it's the law of supply and demand. Since they're all by their onesies, there's no competition, and therefore no reason to drop the price.
In 2008 - the last time anyone investigated high pricing - there were two functioning refineries. The one in North Pole hadn't yet closed; yet our prices were in the neighborhood of $4.37/gallon.
Why? Glad you asked.
"That's what it would cost," the refinery owners responded, "if we were to ship the crude to California to be refined, and then returned here for consumption."
"But that's not what we do," local reporters told them.
The reply was an oh-so-expressive shrug. Apparently, that's what we getting this time, too.
So.
Why are prices so high? Because the refinery can charge whatever it likes. Yes, it's capitalism in action. But is it reasonable, or greed? Only you can answer that.
It's not like we can go anywhere else for our gasoline.
17 January 2015
It's a Quiet Day
The temp is hanging right at 32°, but the clouds are intermittent with some peeks of sunshine from time to time. It was frosty when we first went out this morning ... or rather, the streets had frosty patches, and cornering was an adventure.
But it's clearing now, and the forecast formerly containing hints of snow now calls only for scattered bouts of freezing rain and/or ice pellets.
Whatever.
We did the weekly shopping, had lunch at the hotel's cafe' where Younger Daughter is serving as hostess (it's slow season in the pastry kitchen), and picked up a couple of movies with which we hope to divert ourselves this afternoon.
Which movies? Left Behind and How to Train Your Dragon 2. Like I said, we hope they're diversionary; in the case of the second one, we hope it's funny. The first one was (very) light entertainment.
Yeah, I know, but there's nothing else available right now. At least, nothing else we haven't already seen.
And we've seen each of the DVDs and Blu-Ray movies we already have so many times that we can watch them with the sound turned off, and recite the dialogue from memory.
* * * * *
On a happy note, gas has dropped to an average of $2.66/gallon here. Makes my wallet happy. :)
But it's clearing now, and the forecast formerly containing hints of snow now calls only for scattered bouts of freezing rain and/or ice pellets.
Whatever.
We did the weekly shopping, had lunch at the hotel's cafe' where Younger Daughter is serving as hostess (it's slow season in the pastry kitchen), and picked up a couple of movies with which we hope to divert ourselves this afternoon.
Which movies? Left Behind and How to Train Your Dragon 2. Like I said, we hope they're diversionary; in the case of the second one, we hope it's funny. The first one was (very) light entertainment.
Yeah, I know, but there's nothing else available right now. At least, nothing else we haven't already seen.
And we've seen each of the DVDs and Blu-Ray movies we already have so many times that we can watch them with the sound turned off, and recite the dialogue from memory.
* * * * *
On a happy note, gas has dropped to an average of $2.66/gallon here. Makes my wallet happy. :)
04 January 2015
4° and Frosty
The long-anticipated January cold snap has arrived, but still no snow. After several days of upper 30s, and one day well into the 40s last week, most of what we had is gone.
It's been a typical winter weekend here, and I won't bore anyone with thrilling tales of chores, OR the lack thereof. Tales, not chores. There are always PLENTY of chores.
On the bright side, neither is there anything negative to report. Life goes on, rather smoothly.
Gas is down to $2.85, and will probably drop again tomorrow. One year ago, we were paying $3.99, and I'm in no hurry for a repeat. And for those of you who caught my post about gas at or near $7/gallon in the Bush, it was at $10 in those same places, last year.
Thanks for dropping by, folks; have a wonderful day!
It's been a typical winter weekend here, and I won't bore anyone with thrilling tales of chores, OR the lack thereof. Tales, not chores. There are always PLENTY of chores.
On the bright side, neither is there anything negative to report. Life goes on, rather smoothly.
Gas is down to $2.85, and will probably drop again tomorrow. One year ago, we were paying $3.99, and I'm in no hurry for a repeat. And for those of you who caught my post about gas at or near $7/gallon in the Bush, it was at $10 in those same places, last year.
Thanks for dropping by, folks; have a wonderful day!
02 January 2015
While We Enjoy Lower Gas Prices
The price of regular gas in Anchorage has fallen to around $2.92/gallon. Yes, I know it's a LOT cheaper in the Lower 48, but we don't live there.
Now from the Alaska Dispatch News comes this eye-opener:
It has to do with signed delivery contracts from 2014, and delivery dates. Follow the link to find out the rest.
Now from the Alaska Dispatch News comes this eye-opener:
In Bethel, the cheapest gas is $6.67 a gallon at Nicholson’s Auto. In Barrow, unleaded gas is $7 a gallon at Eskimos Inc., the lone gas retailer. In remote villages, gas is even more dear. Filling up an SUV? That’s a quick $125 swipe on your debit card. While urban Alaskans are enjoying a gradual drop in fuel costs, those in rural Alaska continue to pay stinging prices at the pump.
It has to do with signed delivery contracts from 2014, and delivery dates. Follow the link to find out the rest.
02 November 2012
Gas Prices
Gasoline prices in Anchorage peaked at $4.19/gallon a couple of weeks ago, but have settled back to $4.06. They're much higher elsewhere in the state. Why so high, you ask?
A good question.
First, some background: Alaska pumps and refines about 95% of its own oil. The operators of the two refineries here have complete freedom to set their own prices ... and the market is small enough (750,000± people), and the distance from elsewhere great enough, that there's no competition.
A couple of years back, the local paper sent reporters to ask the same question: "Why so high?" The answer was jaw-dropping.
They tie our prices to the California supply grid, because that's what it would cost if we had to send our oil there to be refined, and then bring it back. The fact that WE DON'T is apparently irrelevant. So ... the operators set their own sky-high price, and then make an unsurprising profit.
So.
With every sudden jump in prices, the predictable cry of "someone should do something" goes up ... and equally predictably, some legislator-or-other in Juneau will announce that he/she is going to get to the bottom of this. Yeah, right.
It's a free market (so to speak, that being one of the few bits of not already over-regulated by the compassionate and caring folks in the District ofCriminalsColumbia).
The answer isn't "more regulation" ... it's "LESS regulation". Take the restraints, high taxes (but I repeat myself), and crushing feel-good environmental requirements off the table, and perhaps others might be convinced to build another refinery. Or at least, pump more oil.
It's a lead-pipe cinch that the current system is broken.
That's my two-cents' worth, and I'm certainly open to discussion. Comments?
A good question.
First, some background: Alaska pumps and refines about 95% of its own oil. The operators of the two refineries here have complete freedom to set their own prices ... and the market is small enough (750,000± people), and the distance from elsewhere great enough, that there's no competition.
A couple of years back, the local paper sent reporters to ask the same question: "Why so high?" The answer was jaw-dropping.
They tie our prices to the California supply grid, because that's what it would cost if we had to send our oil there to be refined, and then bring it back. The fact that WE DON'T is apparently irrelevant. So ... the operators set their own sky-high price, and then make an unsurprising profit.
So.
With every sudden jump in prices, the predictable cry of "someone should do something" goes up ... and equally predictably, some legislator-or-other in Juneau will announce that he/she is going to get to the bottom of this. Yeah, right.
It's a free market (so to speak, that being one of the few bits of not already over-regulated by the compassionate and caring folks in the District of
The answer isn't "more regulation" ... it's "LESS regulation". Take the restraints, high taxes (but I repeat myself), and crushing feel-good environmental requirements off the table, and perhaps others might be convinced to build another refinery. Or at least, pump more oil.
It's a lead-pipe cinch that the current system is broken.
That's my two-cents' worth, and I'm certainly open to discussion. Comments?
15 November 2011
Weather Colder & Gas Goes Down
It's 8 degrees out, and AccuHunch predicts wind chills of 20 to 30 below, later this morning. That's probably the most exciting thing about today, so I won't bore you with the rest.
My friend Dana in Missouri sent a photo yesterday of a gas station sign, advertising regular gas for $2.99 a gallon. That's a distant dream for Alaskans. Our gas went down three cents, yesterday, to only $3.91.
My friend Dana in Missouri sent a photo yesterday of a gas station sign, advertising regular gas for $2.99 a gallon. That's a distant dream for Alaskans. Our gas went down three cents, yesterday, to only $3.91.
27 May 2011
The Marine Patriot: Report Finds Obama Policies to Blame for High Energy Prices
The Marine Patriot: Report Finds Obama Policies to Blame for High Ener...: "http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/267928/report-finds-obama-policies-blame-high-energy-prices-andrew-stile I'm shocked. Who would have ever thought Obama had anything to do with higher gas prices, increase in other commodity items like food, $14.5 trillion deficit, unemployment, and foreign policy failures..."
04 May 2011
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