Oil prices - RF Cafe Forums

 Post subject: Oil prices

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:47 pm 

Oil up past $58/barrel today. Oil companies making unbelieveable profits by boosting prices more than necessary to compensate. Why aren't people up in arms? We are indeed a bunch of sheep.

 Post subject:

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:01 am 

Greetings:

Yup, I have to agree. Venezuela just issued a report stating that OPEC is about peaked out in production capacity. With China emerging as a major industrial force, they are acquiring an insatiable appetite for petroleum products. At its current rate of growth, China is predicted to equal the U.S.A. in consumption by around 2020 (not that far off). Like it or not, oil is the backbone of industry from production to delivery to consumption.

Part of the problem is gluttonous consumption on everyone's part (I'll plead somewhat guilty, but I do attempt to conserve in many ways - even make my two kids commute to college). Another problem is the world's tolerance of terrorist threats and actions against the production areas. The self-righteous appeasement attitude of some of our world citizens toward terrorists has measurable affected the supply of oil, and therefore the cost to us all.

If you monitor news headlines (in magazines and online – not Sheep TV), there are a lot of innovative techniques being investigated that promises better than break-even hydrogen production from water and amazingly efficient solar cells that will someday evolve into commercial products. Until then, ALL countries – not just the U.S. – should be investing heavily in alternative energy sources.

Not exploiting the efficiency of nuclear power generation is a crime against humanity IMHO. Not drilling in the ANWR is another peeve. The elite of this country will not allow offshore oil rigs or even ocean-based wind farms to be built because it will upset the views from their palatial estates (they can afford any price for fuel and are heavily invested in the markets that reap obscene profits). Greenies are some of the worst offenders and hypocrites in these areas.


- Kirt Blattenberger

 Post subject: Solar / Nuclear Alternatives

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:53 am 

I’ve always been an avid supporter of the residential use of solar panels. Since the big boys aren’t taking action, we’ll have to keep up our reliance on solar cell arrays until the oil runs dry, and the rest of the world realizes what an unnecessary mess we’ve made.

Nuclear energy is, imho, not the best solution, but I will admit that the price per kilowatt is much lower than current solar standards, so, if pressed for cash, it may be the best option.

 Post subject:

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:49 am 

There are also geothermal solutions that could be used to a wider extent. Cooling and heating with a heatpump working from a heatpool at 8degC, is a very efficient device that cuts cost of electricity for this useage by more than 50%.

It is a shame that houses are built without such a system in places where heating/cooling is a necessity.