What Government Can Actually Do About Gas Prices

"What Government Can Actually Do About Gas Prices"

Here Are A Couple Of Examples Of What Not To Do...

Recently, in Montana, an Australian company wanted to bring revenue and jobs to the state by developing oil resources. The area was used for mining and drilling in the 60's and 70's but is now 200 yards inside a mandated "roadless area". The Forest Service was willing to offer a conditional drilling/mining permit. However, among the 25 pages of requirements were the following conditions;

* The drill sites must be cleared using hand tools,

* The drilling equipment and fuel must be transported to the site by a team of pack mules,

* The mules must be fed certified weed-free hay, and

* Drill site and trail reclamation must be done using hand tools.

After more than 20 months of applications, studies fees and forms the company finally admitted defeat.

Here's another;

MORE "DAM" GREEN IDIOCY...

In Washington State (tied with California as the epicenter of enviro-wackodom) they are in the process of tearing down the massive, Elwha hydroelectric dam that has provided power for tens of thousands of people for decades. Tens of millions are being spent to destroy a "green" hydroelectric dam - then tens of millions more to restore "salmon habitat".

I'm sure the seals that wait at the mouth of every river in Washington will be pleased at the increased food supply - more seals - just what the fishing industry needs.

But, I think California enviro-wackos have got 'em beat. They're preparing to demolish 3 hydroelectric and irrigation dams in Northern California for - you guessed it - salmon habitat. Tens of millions down a sink hole and more expensive energy is the pot of gold at the end of the green rainbow.

Great recreation lakes are being destroyed and the millions of fish, reptiles, amphibians and birds who call them home will die. Why... for Environmentalist Theology.

Insanity like this is happening in every state - costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars every year - resulting in higher energy prices and fewer campgrounds and outdoor venues.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 11:56AM March 20, 2012

One of the quickest fixes government can undertake is to reform the oil futures market. There has been a 10 fold increase in the number of speculative dollars in the commodities markets since the mid-90s. Most of this is due to the government's allowance of certain banks to use these markets as investment vehicles. The more speculative capital you pour into markets like commodities, the higher you will drive prices. For stocks and other securities, this may work over the long run to establish the proper worth, however, for commodities, products people use everyday to live, such rampant gambling that prices will go higher only exacerbates the problem of leading to higher prices for consumers.

Mike of CA 2:56PM March 19, 2012