Oil Prices

Motorists have OPEC to Thank for Lowest Oil Prices in Five Years

American motorists are enjoying the lowest gasoline prices in five years because OPEC chose not to reduce oil output in the hopes that decreased oil prices will be lower than the cost needed to frack oil from shale.

December 2, 2014 - Vox

If Keystone Bill Becomes Law, Would it be Built?

It's not a foregone conclusion that President Obama would veto a bill expected in the Senate next week to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. But if it were to pass and Obama signs it, would it be built? CNBC investigates.

November 15, 2014 - CNBC

Fracking's Formidable Foe

The worthy foe is not environmental regulations nor the the government or public demanding fracking moratoriums and bans. It is the falling global price of oil. Two radio reports explore how the global glut of oil affects U.S. shale oil production.

October 16, 2014 - NPR

U.S. Oil Boom to Reduce World Prices While Global Coal Consumption Surges

Gas prices will drop due to surging U.S. oil production according to an U.S. Energy Dept. report. Another report from the International Energy Agency points to surging carbon dioxide emissions, not from oil but from coal burning, largely from China.

January 4, 2014 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Increased Oil Supply = Increased Oil Prices?

So much for the economic laws of supply and demand or "drilling our way" to cheap gas prices. It's not that simple when it comes to oil. Dan Strumpf explains what's behind the latest surge in oil prices. Oil markets and infrastructure play key roles.

July 22, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Oil Drilling Myths Exposed By Paul Krugman

New York Times economics writer and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman analyzes two major reasons for increasing oil drilling - reducing unemployment and lowering gas prices, and describes why it does neither.

March 20, 2012 - The New York Times - The Opinion Pages

Cheap(er) Gas Prices On Horizon

Gas prices have been dropping for a month. According to the chief oil analyst with the Oil Price Information Service in this radio interview, expect prices to continue dropping to as low as $3.25 a gallon, but don't expect lower than $3.00.

June 21, 2011 - NPR-Weekend Edition Sunday

Transit Use is Growing, But Not Where You Think

Transit saw some big ridership increases over the past few years, but maybe not where you'd expect. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the top ten metropolitan areas where transit use has increased the most.

November 19, 2009 - Nate Berg

Op-ed in NYT Claims Peak Oil is Bad Science

Energy consultant Michael Lynch argues that there are upwards of 10 trillion barrels of oil out there, as opposed to the 2 trillion that peak oil proponents recognize.

August 26, 2009 - New York Times

Energy Boom Will Lead To Energy Shortage

$147 per barrel oil prices set off a frenzy of new domestic oil drilling that has all but ceased with $46 per barrel. The drop in natural gas drilling has been even more pronounced. When demand returns, domestic oil and gas supplies will likely not.

March 16, 2009 - The New York Times - Business

As Gas Prices Drop, VMT Rises

Sightline's Clark Williams-Derry looks at low gas prices, a down economy, and vehicle-miles-traveled, noting that the precipitous declines in VMT have halted, and suspects it may plateau.

February 27, 2009 - WorldChanging

Plunging Oil Prices May Do More Harm Than Good

The Financial Times analyzes the effects of the falling price of oil on energy markets and concludes that the short term economic gain for oil consumers will come back to bite them as investments in alternative fuels will cease as will conservation.

December 28, 2008 - Financial Times

$1/Gallon Gas Consumption Tax Proposal

In this Mercury News Op-Ed, San Jose State University Professor Larry Gerston proposes this bold tax for mass transit and alternative energy programs. It yields $175 billion annually and creates green jobs, enabling us to determine our destiny.

December 10, 2008 - Mercury News

Would $3 Gas Balance California's Budget?

Energy expert Severin Borenstein suggests a novel strategy to ensure California drivers don't lose their gas-saving habits and vehicle preferences learned when gas cost $4.50/gallon - a 'variable gas surcharge' to stabilize gas prices at $3/gallon.

November 21, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Shipping Methods Shift From Truck to Canal Barge

The Erie Canal has been long forgotten as a passage for transportation, but the affordability of shipping goods by canal barge is making it a more attarctive option than doing so by trucking.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Three Oil Producing Nations Impacted By Oil Price Plunge

Plunging oil prices are hitting three oil-producing countries the hardest: Venezuela, Iran, and Russia. This article looks at each of them and evaluates how they will fare if oil prices do not rise, including their relationships to the U.S.

October 24, 2008 - The New York Times

Oil Price Plunge Dampens Green Technology

The new 'oil shock' is one of plummeting oil prices and its effect on alternative technologies and energy. Combined with the credit crisis, the fallout in some green technologies is shown by difficulties in attracting capital and customers.

October 22, 2008 - The Washington Post

Will Cheaper Gas Cause Increased Driving?

As oil prices plunge to well below $100/barrel, will Americans reverse all their fuel-efficient behavior learned from $145 oil seen in July? It appears that the economic crisis may continue where the energy crisis left off.

October 14, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Oil Supply Crunch May Hit In Five Years

Using the term 'oil supply crunch' as opposed to 'peak oil', this British report indicates that the oil crisis will hit by 2013, with prices jumping to $200/barrel. It states that the problem is not insufficient oil but obstacles to its extraction.

August 20, 2008 - BBC News

Oil Prices Aren't the Only Reason Sprawl is Dying

In this column, Richard Florida argues the decline in the popularity of suburbs is not just a product of rising oil prices, but a result of a new "spatial fix" that is reorganizing how and where people live their lives.

July 18, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

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