Thursday, April 29, 2010

A Preview Of Things To Come...?


Talk about being held hostage by the folks with the goods!

I know that many think something like this can never happen to us...but you know what? It could! In fact, in slower increments, it is happening as we speak!

Like it or not, this could happen as long as we continue to be reliant on fossil fuels to power our vehicles. something like this only shows that somehow we must find alternatives to powering our lifestyle, or else we all could wake up some day and find ourselves in the same boat!

High gas prices fuel anger in McGrath, Alaska

© 2010 The Associated Press
April 28, 2010, 1:11PM


ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Residents in the town of McGrath went to bed Friday with the price of gasoline at just under $6 a gallon.

When they drove to McGrath's lone pump the following day, the price was $9.20, prompting shock in the Kuskokwin River town 415 miles northwest of Anchorage.

"Outraged would probably be the best one-word description," said Kas Healy.

The spike follows a winter that nearly drained the city's unleaded fuel supply. Crowley Petroleum Distribution had to fly in a supply Friday, and a company official said the cost increase reflects the difference between flying the fuel and shipping it on a barge.

"When I get a bill from the company that flies in the fuel and it says what the price is, I at least have to pass that on or we're not going to be in business," said Bob Cox, vice president of sales.

The earliest Crowley would be able to send a barge is early June, so the high prices will likely stick for some time. The barge could also be delayed by the same shallow river levels that prevented it from delivering its final load of fuel last fall.

Angry residents have formed an anti-Crowley Facebook page and are trying to boycott the company.

"For people who basically are living at subsistence levels, I think it's criminal that this is not regulated," Healy said.

Mayor Dustin Parker said he hopes McGrath will find a way to fly in fuel at a lower cost.

"Yes, we expected a little bit of an increase for sure, around a dollar, but no one expected over $3 a gallon," Parker said.

I can't blame the supplier, really! After all, everyone is entitled to make a profit. However, it just seems to me that there is a hint of "profiteering" going on here.

I can only wonder if the folks in the town, or at least the leaders of the community, were given any notice of such a hike? One thing about it, being the only pump in town sort of gives you a captive market, don't you think?

I don't think I'll complain too much about the 25 cent increases locally for a while...but we all know it's not only possible, but probable this will happen in some form or fashion in the future!

And the Future, my friends, may be a lot closer than we think!

Now, let's have some fresh coffee on the patio. We'll try and NOT think about the next winter's cost of heating fuel, right?

9 comments:

  1. That was even more expensive than over here! We pay a bit over 7US dollars/US gallon, so I can understand how those people feel right now. But as You say one can´t really blame the supplier even if it sounds a bit to much.

    But we do have to find new fuels to use in our life. Just look on what´s happening in the Mexican gulf right now!
    Have a great day now!
    Christer.

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  2. A foretaste of things to come? Probably.
    YeOldFurt

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  3. If we could grow industrial hemp there'd be no need to import oil.

    Ron Paul has good sense. He is for growing hemp. His bill died in committee.
    http://www.hemphasis.net/Fuel-Energy/fuel.htm

    http://www.thespringoflife.net/hemp.html
    Hemp (Cannabis sativa) – Hemp immediately makes us think of drugs. But there is no need for that! Marijuana is made from a different plant of the same family. Hemp contains such a tiny amount of THC (the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana) that it has no negative effects on humans. Hemp is actually one of the most healthful plants ever known to mankind. On top of that, it lends itself to the production of paper, cosmetics, building materials, textiles, non-toxic diesel fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink, lubricating oil, etc. Hemp is an unpretentious plant that can be grown in many climates.

    History: Hemp has been known to mankind for at least 10,000 years. A piece of hemp fabric has been found that dates back to 8,000 BC. Throughout history, whole populations have survived off hemp seed in times of famine. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines have prescribed hemp for a myriad of diseases. Hemp was grown by farmers in the United States for hundreds of years. The United States presidents Washington and Jefferson grew hemp and praised it in their writings. Hemp was a major American crop in the 18th and 19th centuries, until a man named Harry Anslinger began promoting anti-marijuana legislation around the world, causing the prohibition of hemp cultivation in 1937. During World War II, when the U.S. was short of rope, fabric, and other materials, a campaign called “Hemp for Victory” was launched. Farmers were encouraged to grow hemp in great quantities. Though this was allowed, there was no increase of marijuana consumption. Still, after WW II, hemp farming was again banned.
    ( click link to read full text)
    If this article was helpful to You and You would like to share it with someone else, You are more than welcome to copy it. But You are requested to add my name - Eve Juurik- and my website address - http://www.TheSpringOfLife.net - to the article. All the material is copyrighted. Thank You!
    Many blessings & success to You,
    Eve

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  4. About a 33% increase overnight! 9.20 a gallon, wow. I'd say that cost will ground a lot of people into staying in, or moving closer to town if that is where they work.

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  5. Good Morning My Special One,
    Where's my horse? Sure is crazy they may have a bigger problem than us, but the price is growning high here again too. I beleive it is all over. I'm sure glad I decided to stay in one place this summer and not travel around.
    Hugs

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  6. Hey Christer...
    You are so right, my friend! Sort of a wake up call for a lot of folks, isn't it?

    Thanks for coming by today!


    Hey YOF...
    Right you are, buddy! We know it's coming. We just don't know when, but I'm thinking sooner rather than later!

    Hey, I appreciate the visit today!


    Hey Vlad...
    The history of hemp is pretty interesting. I did a post about it last year!

    Thanks for the link and the visit, my friend!


    Hey Anon 7:11...
    That would hurt coming overnight, wouldn't it?

    Guess we had better get on the ball, for sure!

    Hey, thanks for dropping by today!


    Hey JoJo...
    I'm thinking that many of us are going to be cutting way back on travel soon! You just never know!

    Thanks, sweetie, for coming by!

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  7. Mechanic in IllinoisApril 29, 2010 at 10:55 AM

    I bet they'll be scrambling for the electric cars. Bicycles too. All the rest of us should be learning a lesson from them. I'm sure gas isn't going down anytime soon. Better buy more ammo too,a price increase like that could trigger a Mayberry reaction. Thanks for another great lesson.

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  8. Hey Mechanic...
    Talk about a shocker! I wonder just what the reaction would be here locally, if this kind of increase came about?

    With fuel prices going higher and higher...it's really going to affect the cost of a whole range of products, including food!

    This is one reason we should prep all the time, and stocking up on ammo isn't a bad idea at all!

    Thanks, my friend, for coming by!

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  9. *sighs*

    You can't use electric cars like you do in the lower 48, Mechanic. No sun in the winter...
    aka the reason it is called the land of the midnite sun and why everyone freaks out when you hear 24 hours of night.

    Also the ice is still in on the water in the inlets and on the ocean. They can't barge it so they HAVE to fly it in.

    It is a whole different experience up here that I don't expect people to understand. FYI Gas in Anchorage is 3.37.

    upinak

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