CNG vehicles are virtually emission free. And California has very, very serious electrical capacity issues. Remember the rotating brown-outs?

Oh yeah. I narrowly missed that when I moved away from there. It always blew my mind that Cali still required electric vehicles to go through emissions. No test, just the tax.

So what is the block to natural gas vehicles? Would we be in the same boat we are now?

There is government money for you buy or convert to CNG for free or close to it and would cost you less than half to run on it. The CNG refill appliance is where you need deep pockets. The refill appliance for the Honda GX cost around 4000 dollars.

There are few places to fuel the vehicles (usually at gas utility offices), the range is somewhat reduced, the tanks are heavy and reduce cargo space and very well constructed in an attempt to reduce the chances of catastrophic failure (KABOOM) in a serious accident. In all fairness, gasoline fumes are explosive, too!

Yeah, remember the pintos?

Gotta like how you put the 'kaboom' after the words catastrophic failure!

I know that car companies are getting very serious about finding alternative ways to fuel cars. Especially with the cost of fuel rising. And it would behove the car companies to find alternatives. Just imagine, if a car company could develop a car that runs on an alternative fuel, effectively, and economically. They would have a huge hit on their hands that would sell millions of vehicles. In turn, that huge hit would have a major impact on their bottom line.

Also note, that at one point in time, most American cities, including Cincinnati, had very prevalent street car and rail transportation networks in the early 1900s. Right around the time the car was taking off, most of these street car and rail companies were going bankrupt because of competition from the new horseless carriages. Coincidence? I don`t think so. There is a WONDERFUL site on the history of the early railroads in Cincinnati, and what remains today. It is really a fascinating site, and I recommend you check it out. It is really insightful, and you could spend hours on it. (For example, there used to be a rail line that cut across my suburban street. It ceased passenger operation in 1935, long before my 1970s subdivision was built. The railroad, in case you are wondering was called the Cincinnati, Georgetown and Portsmouth Railroad, or the CG&P.

Here`s the link to the train website: http://homepage.mac.com/jjakucyk/Transit1/index.html

I know I went off on a pretty big tangent there, but I always find that website so fascinating. And to think how many railroads, street cars and inter urbans criss crossed the city back then!

The whole global warming/climate change thing is a complete fraud. You all know this right?

*Crickets* *Crickets*

Consumer Reports: GM's Volt Doesn't Really Make A Lot of Sense:

http://detnews.com/article/20110228/AUTO01/102280401/1148/auto01/Consumer-Reports--GM%E2%80%99s-Volt-%E2%80%98doesn%E2%80%99t-really-make-a-lot-of-sense%E2%80%99

The price of crude is gyrating wildly due to the situation in the Mideast. When the cost of the crude necessary to refine oil goes up dramatically, the cost of the gasoline will, too. That, I understand. When it falls, though, it does not fall anywhere near as rapidly at retail. Most in the industry will tell you retailers make the most money as the cost of the product is falling, not rising....

..."There's a familiar saying in the petroleum industry, 'Up like a rocket, down like a feather,' " said Lisa Margonelli, a fellow at the New America Foundation and author of "Oil on The Brain." "It takes days for oil that is purchased at a given price to make it through the refinery and then be delivered to the retailer."...

http://www.freep.com/article/20110301/BUSINESS01/103010345/Gas-prices-fast-rise-slow-fall?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto%20News

Local gasoline prices went up 20 cents this morning, making a cumulative rise of 46 cents in the past seven days...

Yeah, on the way home this evening, there was still a gas station with the cheap stuff at $3.35, while a station across the street was $3.49. I read an article here: http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/consumer/gasoline-prices-expected-to-increase-by-40-cents-this-week-wews1299090609430 that states we may see gas hit $4.05 by Memorial Day weekend! No thanks. It still amazes me that the price of gas can increase so rapidly, yet it will never fall fifteen cents in one day... And I have to wonder what these prices are going to do for the fragile economy...

Maybe the economy will do the opposite of the gas prices: drop...like a rock....and recover very slowly...

I highly recommend a book by G. Edward Griffin entitled "The Creature From Jekyll Island." It explains all of the turmoil very accurately.

Yeah, on the way home this evening, there was still a gas station with the cheap stuff at $3.35, while a station across the street was $3.49. I read an article here: http://www.wcpo.com/...ws1299090609430 that states we may see gas hit $4.05 by Memorial Day weekend! No thanks. It still amazes me that the price of gas can increase so rapidly, yet it will never fall fifteen cents in one day... And I have to wonder what these prices are going to do for the fragile economy...

Put everyone back in the poor house again is what i think.

I don't see why the government does not see that the gas prices control the country and do something about it. I know their hands might be some what tied, but if we went back to $1.50 gas the country would have money to spend on other things besides their gas tank and the economy would bounce back by spending money in the community!

Lord knows this subject isn't funny, but I couldn't resist this one-a friend sent this to me and it helps with the current mood.

...If gasoline remains expensive, he told MyWestTexas.com, consumers may still drive to school and work and make visits to relatives living close by, but they'll put off more distant trips.

"It's been interesting to me to see how our customers behave," he continued. "A few years ago when gasoline hit $2 a gallon, I was concerned and convinced customer behavior would change and was shocked when it didn't. Gasoline hit $2.50, $3 a gallon and behavior didn't change. Finally, when it hit $4 a gallon, behavior began to change. It's clear $4, at least in my view, means something."

Jeff Morris, president and CEO of Alon USA, a major oil refiner and operator of more than 300 convenience stores at:

http://www.csnews.co...ices-58163.html

When they did $4 the last time, it put the global economy on it's ear. Not just the US, but the world. What makes them think this time will be any different, especially since the economy is still in a very fragile state? I don't get it. Not to get political, but what happened to all the tough talk about "big oil" during the last election? All I hear now is silence....and I really don't like the volumes that it is speaking.

It's not even primarily "big oil" this time. It's the situation in the Mideast. And it may never get better. One very negative view, which deserves a full read:

High gasoline prices here to stay:

http://www.dailyfina...3_lnk2%7C204889

We have our resources that the US owns why not use them?

The middle east situation will never change. I think its time to switch to a more efficient car for me personally. This whole situation angers me to no end.

We have our resources that the US owns why not use them?

Not a place for politics, but from Administration to Administration, that has largely not been done. Our own oil resources are rather limited (except for those offshore...and just as those were being developed in the Gulf, and not without controversy, the BP oilwell situation occurred.)

A question...is it not wiser to use up others' resources first? On the other hand, how much money have we shipped out of here to literally burn up what is eventually either money no longer available for anything else and/or debt?

It's not an easy situation...

We have our resources that the US owns why not use them?

Not a place for politics, but from Administration to Administration, that has largely not been done. Our own oil resources are rather limited (except for those offshore...and just as those were being developed in the Gulf, and not without controversy, the BP oilwell situation occurred.)

A question...is it not wiser to use up others' resources first? On the other hand, how much money have we shipped out of here to literally burn up what is eventually either money no longer available for anything else and/or debt?

It's not an easy situation...

I wonder how much is truly left. How much oil is truly left in the middle east. I hate the whole thing. Just wish we could get away from it altogether.

Regardless of how much is left, the fact of the matter is now China and India, in particular, also compete with the West for those resources. Limited supply, greater demand equals higher price.

It's not even primarily "big oil" this time. It's the situation in the Mideast. And it may never get better. One very negative view, which deserves a full read:

High gasoline prices here to stay:

http://www.dailyfina...3_lnk2%7C204889

I know, that's the scary part. With all the countries in the Mideast that are a hotbed for trouble, all it is going to take is another one or two of them to start something and we really will be in trouble. I am afraid that we are in for a really rough ride, one that I have a feeling will make Son of Beast look smooth.

I hear there are areas of Alaska where gas is already $10 per gallon. When I was there in 2007, the Kenai area had gas for $5.50. Ouch.

Food For Thought:

10 Reasons A Super-Cycle In Oil is Inevitable:

http://www.thestreet...obref=obnetwork

15 Ways Oil Prices Will Crimp Your Budget:

http://www.thestreet...our-budget.html

That second article paints a pretty gloomy picture. In short, because of increases in oil prices, you can expect almost every product from groceries to cereal and sugary snacks to shipping packages to clothing, to concerts, and even to consumer electronics to increase their prices in response to the increase in oil.

That second article paints a pretty gloomy picture. In short, because of increases in oil prices, you can expect almost every product from groceries to cereal and sugary snacks to shipping packages to clothing, to concerts, and even to consumer electronics to increase their prices in response to the increase in oil.

You forgot Amusement Park Admission!

...not to mention the cost of getting there and the competing needs for the limited available resources...but then again, CoastersRZ was listing those things in the article cited...

Yes I was! Although, food prices and merchandise prices may increase at parks. Admission prices may increase because Ohio's minimum wage went up two nickels iat the beginning if the tear, to $7.40 an hour. I know that Coney's admission rates are unchanged from last season, so they are not passing on the increased labor costs to customers with increased admission prices. At least not yet.

This is the second time I wrote this response. I had it typed out on my computer but a phone call interrupted me. And now I'm in a car, so I'm retyping this on my iPhone.