Re: gas prices

[Bob Hoffmann <escape@alt-escape.com>]

At 01:11 PM 10/05/2000 -0700, you wrote:
> >    Here's the idea -
> >    For the rest of this year, don't purchase gasoline from the
> >   two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL.

Here's a few better ideas:

Get past the belief that bigger is better, and trade in your SUV for a 
sub-compact.
Ride a bike if your trip is less than 5 miles and if you will be bringing 
back less than 5 pounds of cargo.
Use your legs for once, and WALK!
Use public transportation whenever possible.  For Moscow/Pullman residents, 
that includes the Wheatland Express between towns: 
http://www.wheatlandexpress.com/
Buy locally made/grown products whenever you get the chance.
Make a measurable goal to reduce your car trips.  If you plan ahead and 
combine trips, this should be easy.
If you work in an office, ask your boss if you can telecommute one or more 
days a week.
Stay at (or close to) home on your vacation.
Reduce your use of plastic products, which are usually made from 
petroleum.  When store clerks ask "Paper or Plastic?", you should answer 
"Canvas," and hand them your reusable bag.

The best way to "boycott" OPEC and the petroleum companies is to reduce 
your consumption.  When gas prices reach certain high levels, people start 
conserving (partially by replacing their gas guzzlers with smaller, more 
affordable vehicles), and OPEC boosts production to make up for the loss in 
business.

I am unaware of any consumer action that has seriously affected gas 
companies and the price of gas except this.  The only exception was the 
voluntary destruction by an outraged public of their Exxon gas cards after 
the Valdez ran aground in Prince Williams Sound.

Remember, we are the reason that gas prices are so high.  We are the market 
that Big Oil uses to fatten its purse.  But we can't demand huge quantities 
without paying huge prices.  It's a simple case of supply and 
demand.  Demand less (from ALL the oil companies), and prices will come down.

And when prices come down, please have a long memory.  Because if you are 
again seduced by 4-liter advertisements from Detroit, OPEC will notice, and 
tighten the spigot.


Bob Hoffmann
846 Mabelle St.
Moscow, ID  83843  USA
Phone: (208) 883-0642
Fax: (877) 495-2279