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Many senators and representatives are “extremely concerned” about the high price of gas. They are so concerned they are furrowing their brows and holding totally meaningless congressional hearings with high-ranking petroleum industry officials to get to the bottom of Gasgate.
It just so happens that many of these same senators and representatives are “extremely concerned” about getting re-elected in November and don’t want to appear to be doing nothing as their constituents suffer under skyrocketing gas prices, and the prices of so many other commodities affected by the cost of transportation.
Fifteen years ago, gas in La Grande sold for about $1.35 a gallon. Today it stands at about $4 a gallon, and it will likely climb higher yet. If your wages went up by the same percentage, you were earning $20,000 in 1993 and $60,000 today. Fat chance, right?
Who’s to blame? Price-gouging oil companies? A lack of refineries? The weak dollar? Demand outpacing supply? Higher demand overseas? Instability in many major oil-producing countries? All of the above could be true, to a degree. But that doesn’t solve the dilemma for Northeast Oregon drivers, particularly the hard-working folks toward the lower end of the income scale. The price at the pump is not what you can afford to pay, based on income, after all. The price is the same for everybody.
The good news, if there is any, is the high gas prices should spur more aggressive research and development into new sources of oil as well as sugar- and wood product-based ethanol, although many advances in technology are needed before that makes much of a dent in the problem. The high gas prices may also spur a run on higher efficiency vehicles. Of course, we can’t all run out and buy hybrid vehicles, prices of which are escalating. And some of us have very good reasons why we need SUVs and other larger-profile vehicles. The higher prices are also resulting in lower demand, which seems to have had an impact on oil prices this week.
The high cost of gas means that drivers will have to make some adjustments in their lifestyles. Some people have even advocated bringing back the 55 mph speed limit statewide, as was implemented during the gas crisis of the 1970s. Traveling at 55 does save 15 percent on fuel over driving 65 mph. Many people cruise at 73 or 74 mph, which saves time but burns up even more fuel.
Drivers should make sure their tires are properly inflated. Tires underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch can result in a 1 percent loss in fuel efficiency. Times that by four tires and the driver is getting 4 percent less gas mileage than he could under optimum conditions.
Here are a few other tips. Remove weight from your vehicle. Avoid long warmups and other situations where your vehicle idles for more than 30 seconds. Get regular tune-ups. Be efficient in running errands. Start slower from the red light line. Car pool. And consider whether you really, truly need to drive.
We’re not ready to advocate opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling or allowing drillers to run rampant off the pristine Oregon coast. But other possibilities for oil exploration exist. For example, a recent study found that the United States has the world’s largest known concentration of oil shale — nearly five times the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. Shale, of course, is expensive to extract and has environmental drawbacks. But advances in technology, if made a priority, might be able to minimize both.
In the long term, our nation needs an energy policy that is realistic and forward-looking, one that acknowledges the world’s oil supply won’t last forever — especially with skyrocketing worldwide demand — and requires investment in alternatives.
In the meantime, with everyone being “extremely concerned” and all of us being pinched like never before, our best bet is to conserve whenever and however much we can.
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Opinion 
