dave lackey
Veteran
An insider's viewpoint:
I am now retired from teaching at THE university here in Atlanta. My specialties included urban and regional planning, real estate development courses, environmental studies and urban economics. In the days before Katrina, a memorable discussion ensued about the price of gas and conservation.
We, the class and I, researched and concluded that gas at $3-$4/gal in the U.S. was going to be the norm for awhile. Conservation would not really become a major issue for Americans unless gas doubled in cost overnight. And even then, only a minor decrease in gas usage would be expected because of several unique factors, including attitude in general, infrastructure, demographics, local laws and policies concerning land use, and geographical locations of current housing and employment centers.
7 years later, I stick to the same conclusion with a modification.
Yesterday, after weeks of being stuck at home while taking care of medical issues, my wife and I ventured to Warm Springs, Ga., and the Little White House made famous by former president FDR. The amount of traffic travelling at speeds of 80-95 mph was astounding. HUGE SUVs, pickup trucks and all getting upwards of 10mpg. Foolish Americans. Caravans of recreational vehicles and million dollar RV buses. Extravagant Americans.
The modification is this:
1. Americans will not significantly change their driving habits until gas reaches $8.00/gal or more. (IMO, we Americans think it is our god-given right to drive whatever, whenever, as much and as fast as we want as long as we have a credit card in our pocket that has not been maxed out. Quite arrogant, actually, in my opinion, and please note that I stated "we" as I am part of the problem.)
2. Introducing cars that get double the present-day gas mileage will only allow drivers to "justify" in their foolish minds that they can drive like they do now and even more because the car now gets 35mpg.
3. Any savings in gas conservation (by any means) will disappear with the increasing amount of new drivers added to the roads everyday.
4. Peak oil production will occur soon if not already. Then prices will rise.
5. Average speeds being driven will increase gradually until a significant disaster occurs either nationally or to a national figure at which time, the safety police will suddenly appear with new laws and regulations aimed at protecting drivers, not cutting gasoline consumption.
6. The politicians today are using the "high gas prices" as a tool because as they say, "the high gas prices are hurting Americans, they are suffering". Pure BS in my opinion.
This is 2012. As in any forecast/prediction, etc. it will be wrong. Which way will be determined in the coming future. I await the outcome.🙄
I am now retired from teaching at THE university here in Atlanta. My specialties included urban and regional planning, real estate development courses, environmental studies and urban economics. In the days before Katrina, a memorable discussion ensued about the price of gas and conservation.
We, the class and I, researched and concluded that gas at $3-$4/gal in the U.S. was going to be the norm for awhile. Conservation would not really become a major issue for Americans unless gas doubled in cost overnight. And even then, only a minor decrease in gas usage would be expected because of several unique factors, including attitude in general, infrastructure, demographics, local laws and policies concerning land use, and geographical locations of current housing and employment centers.
7 years later, I stick to the same conclusion with a modification.
Yesterday, after weeks of being stuck at home while taking care of medical issues, my wife and I ventured to Warm Springs, Ga., and the Little White House made famous by former president FDR. The amount of traffic travelling at speeds of 80-95 mph was astounding. HUGE SUVs, pickup trucks and all getting upwards of 10mpg. Foolish Americans. Caravans of recreational vehicles and million dollar RV buses. Extravagant Americans.
The modification is this:
1. Americans will not significantly change their driving habits until gas reaches $8.00/gal or more. (IMO, we Americans think it is our god-given right to drive whatever, whenever, as much and as fast as we want as long as we have a credit card in our pocket that has not been maxed out. Quite arrogant, actually, in my opinion, and please note that I stated "we" as I am part of the problem.)
2. Introducing cars that get double the present-day gas mileage will only allow drivers to "justify" in their foolish minds that they can drive like they do now and even more because the car now gets 35mpg.
3. Any savings in gas conservation (by any means) will disappear with the increasing amount of new drivers added to the roads everyday.
4. Peak oil production will occur soon if not already. Then prices will rise.
5. Average speeds being driven will increase gradually until a significant disaster occurs either nationally or to a national figure at which time, the safety police will suddenly appear with new laws and regulations aimed at protecting drivers, not cutting gasoline consumption.
6. The politicians today are using the "high gas prices" as a tool because as they say, "the high gas prices are hurting Americans, they are suffering". Pure BS in my opinion.
This is 2012. As in any forecast/prediction, etc. it will be wrong. Which way will be determined in the coming future. I await the outcome.🙄
