Welcome to ASFN Fan Forums! We're glad to have you here. Please feel free to browse the forum. We'd like to invite you to join our community; doing so will enable you to view additional forums and post with our other members.
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
Wyden: U.S. consumption of foreign oil pays ‘terror tax’
By GREG STILES
Mail Tribune
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden reinforced his displeasure Monday with the national energy bill recently signed by President Bush during a lunchtime meeting with community leaders.
Oregon’s senior senator said he hoped to see a movement away from dependence on foreign oil, but saw little in that regard.
"When you’re going to a gas station, you’re paying what I call a terror tax," Wyden told his audience at the Rogue Regency Inn. "Foreign governments backdoor those dollars to terrorists who want to kill and maim American people. For the life of me, I can’t understand why even baby steps weren’t taken to prevent that."
Wyden says he proposed that auto manufacturers should have to improve gas mileage efficiency by 1 mpg annually over the next five years.
"There’s no question in my mind that Detroit could do it easily," Wyden said. "But from the lobbying when I proposed this, you would’ve thought I proposed the end of western civilization."
He said there were encouraging portions in the bill, promoting hybrid cars and biofuels.
He said funds for a Columbia River crossing and improving railroads may surface when a transportation bill is passed later in the session.
Asked if he favored combating high fuel prices by dipping into the Strategic Oil Reserve, the Portland Democrat took a middle ground.
"Prices are very high and the reserves are high," Wyden said. "Let’s at least not have the same fill rate. Let’s keep the oil in the marketplace. That’s different than what has been the classic liberal and conservative position. Liberals says ‘Take it out; we’ve got to hold everyone’s prices down.’ Conservatives say, ‘Nope, leave it alone.’ "
I must say, I get upset the way oil prices are figured and why "problems" that may arise in the middle east have such an impact on our prices when they only account for 10% of our oil imports!
Dependence on foriegn oil is usally code for middle east oil, yet they account for that small percentage of imports.
I think both Dems and Republicans need to stop using that phrase to further their oil/energy policies.
The only thing I agree with is forcing Detriot to manufacture more fuel economic cars that they could have 30 years ago. Instead, both Dem. and Pub. presidents have chosen to look the other way on fuel economy propoesed by Carter near the end of his administration.
Forget 1mpg is should be 10 to 15 and they already have the ability to do so.
If I have learned anything in my life is that you must force Detroit to change or they never will.
They never go back down after a big increase anymore. It used to be that they would gouge us for a couple weeks and then it would go back down. Now they gouge and then the price stays real high, waiting for the next increase.
I must say, I get upset the way oil prices are figured and why "problems" that may arise in the middle east have such an impact on our prices when they only account for 10% of our oil imports!
Dependence on foriegn oil is usally code for middle east oil, yet they account for that small percentage of imports.
I think both Dems and Republicans need to stop using that phrase to further their oil/energy policies.
The only thing I agree with is forcing Detriot to manufacture more fuel economic cars that they could have 30 years ago. Instead, both Dem. and Pub. presidents have chosen to look the other way on fuel economy propoesed by Carter near the end of his administration.
Forget 1mpg is should be 10 to 15 and they already have the ability to do so.
If I have learned anything in my life is that you must force Detroit to change or they never will.
Good post.
Ironically california's court case with detroit over 'mpg' might back door a positive change.
How about we outlaw the sale of american oil overseas? Its ridiculous that we export oil. Even if it isn't going to make much of a difference to supply, why are we losing oil to export?
Further, the vast majority of oil used in this country is not used in automobiles. If we could rely more on nuclear energy and other sources, it would greatly reduce our dependence.
The energy bill outlines for building new refineries right? I certainly hope so.
I've been taking mass transit whenever I can lately.
How about we outlaw the sale of american oil overseas? Its ridiculous that we export oil. Even if it isn't going to make much of a difference to supply, why are we losing oil to export?
I agree with that, also it would probably eliminate the "need" to drill in Alaska for its finite oil reserves.
Here in California we have some oil being pumped and it is exported to other states and they get it cheaper than we do here...
Actually gas prices in the US are very low compared to some other developed countries
Some examples not all absoluty current but a good indication is Britain where it appears that $5 or more per US Gallon i common. Mainland Europe is typically higher.
In fact we are subsidizing the cost of motoring. In Europe they put much higher taxes on gas, partly to offset the cost os building and maintaing the motoring infrastructure.
I think we need some serious Oil Company regulation, that includes a price cap.
I think I pay more for gas then I do for groceries these days and I don't even work anymore. I can't imagine if I was still driving back and forth to work every day.
I think we need some serious Oil Company regulation, that includes a price cap.
I think I pay more for gas then I do for groceries these days and I don't even work anymore. I can't imagine if I was still driving back and forth to work every day.
I agree.
Here in arizona the arizona corporation commision regulates water and electric companies...why not gasoline companies?
Linear Mode
