Gas prices pushing $3 bucks a gallon soon!

[Divecoz]

I agree the problem is in perception .
Can you say Fast Flux Testing Facility ? or Funny Farm and Hanford Works?. . . Breeder reactors have been around for close to 40- years maybe longer and in use at Hanford's Yakima Facility and again a miniature form at Argon National Labs and no doubt else where . What else are they doing in Rattlesnake Mountain that we don't know about ??
Nukes and Hydrogen

[Mark Prouty]

There are Aliens, and they move among us! They are superior beings. They are aliens with superior knowledge of science and wisdom. They transcend our limitations of space, time, gravity, etc., and travel (solo or in "vehicles") unhindered by any such barriers.
They have different bodies as well, which they can down-grade to our molecular spacial bodies if necessary to be seen by us, but they can switch instantly back again to their own sub-atomic non- spacial bodies, when their mission is completed. This enables them to walk among us and spy on us, continually observing us unhindered in everything we do.
But don't worry, the vast majority of them are benign beings of light and don't wish us any harm, although there does indeed exist a minority of evil ones!
Being immortal creatures (hard for most of us to imagine) they are not subject to our greatest human disease: Death! Therefore they've been watching generations of us for thousands of years, and are fully up-to-date with all our sheninigans! They know us in and out! It has been freqently observed that their favorite recreational vehicle is a MacGerger power sailer. They have been observed frequently towing their offspring on tubes or just enjoying the day sailing. They do not believe in nuclear power but are more into renewable resources.

[Divecoz]

Great Idea Mark . . . .and I could be all for it ( as I have 9 grandchildren) if. . . it was possible let alone feasible today, with our present technology. Wind silly at best . . been to Calif. and seen that problem and much of it is for free,. . . if you remove it, yours for the asking btw. Solar just how big would it have to be??? Well big enough to put 1/2 the earth into perpetual darkness . Hydro Dams we have caused enough damage (no pun intended haha) there already havn't we?? Hydrogen looking better everyday and Nukes ?? well they may be the answer while we develop the others .. Heck there is enough out there for sale on the black market to run a major city maybe several for years or so some say and when we are done with it. . . . . . we could put it on a Cruise Boat and they could dump it at sea for us just like they do with everything else they. . . . no longer want .

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Forget the wind, it will never be reliable enough. Solar only works during daylight and is too variable based on the seasons. Hydro is only as good as the river you dam. Oil will run out. Nukes will never get over their image problem. Hydrogen is still far from ready. Fusion is still a dream.

What we really need to tap is the tide. In and out, night and day, it never stops. It doesn't have great speed, but it has tremdous energy locked up in the water flow. Nothing affects it, doesn't matter what season it is, what the weather does. It's moving water that's always going to be there as long as we don't screw up the orbit of the moon. There are a few tide generating facilities in use and they are a great, free, endless (in terms of our short lives) renewable energy sources.

[Divecoz]

Canada has one maybe more. Not sure what the problems are and why we dont see more of them.... Could it be the cost of the property? Though Seabrook N. P. House is built on the N.H. Coastline. Where are the greatest tide changes found ? Any on our coast ?

[waternwaves]

Duane.....

Tidal power stations on a large scale would impreceptibly slow the earths rotation.(and have local effect on marine flora and fauna..., and low head water is not energy dense...the turbines are huge, inefficient, and higher maintenance than other energy conversion devices..... (see Thames power stations woes)
'
DiveCoz, Rattlesnake now has the laser interferometry gravity research facility (LIGO), and Batelle PNL has also repeated and continues Pons and Fleischmans Fusion/catalyst/neutron binding work. Which is now classified ....lol,

What we really need..... a tall ship.....fair winds......and a star to steer her by......(please excuse the brutalization of that quote....)

And maybe space borne power stations beaming microwaves to denude some desert areas....lol, me?.....alcohol from corn oil is looking good....
and still use the dacron sails......what...... a synthetic sail.......lol

[Mark Prouty]

me?.....alcohol from corn oil is looking good....

I've always been partial to them corn squeezins myself! Gotta be carful makin it. My half brother is havin trouble seeing out one eye from pizened whiskey.



Waterwaves heres how you work them squeezings:

Ya steer up your mash in this barrel h'year. Ya put in your corn meal, sugar, yeast and spring water, and let it work bout three days. Now, if ya want corn whiskey, ya use sprouted corn and leave off the sugar. Hit's rough to swaller, but it don't leave ya with a headache like sweet likker does. Then after yore mash has worked good, ya start cooking it. Ya build up a f'ar under that barrell right thar, and brang it slow up to a boil so it don't scorch, ya see? Once it gits to boilin' real good, hit'll run through this copper tube h'year into this thump keg. All ot this has to be copper, ya see, or you'll have pizened whiskey--hit'll kill ya now, pizened whiskey will! And if it don't kill ya, hit'll make ya so sick yuh'd wish ya wuz dead! Anyways, when ya h'year that ole' thump keg go to thumpin', ya know hit won't be long for the likker'll start dripping outta that copper coil thar. That's what's called the worm. You guage the worm down so's hit'll drip real slow into yore bucket, ya see? Then ya have to cut it down to whutever proof ya want." If it ain't made right, h'it can be a chore to git down but the good likker'll sure make those lazy sailing afternoons interestin'.

And maybe space borne power stations beaming microwaves

It sure'd be nice if them space borne power stations beaming microwaves could be used stead of buildin up a f'ar under that barrell.

Tidal power stations on a large scale would impreceptibly slow the earths rotation.(and have local effect on marine flora and fauna

I say slow 'er down. We gotta enough of them fauna critters already!

..., and low head water is not energy dense...

I donno why ya'd wanna use low head water anyways. Wouldn't it be better filled-up. That's the way mine is most the time cause nobody wants to empty it. I was a thinkin head water might not be too good. You might have trouble gettin folks workin with it. It gives off a powerful awful smell specially after a nite of that likker. I didn't mention afore but you can get a nasty case of the runs from that corn whiskey. If a feller was to use head water, I can git 14 or 15 of my kin on board putin down that whiskey and theres be plenty of it fer ya.

Dono much bout nuclear stuff. I hears it does strange stuff to a feller livin down wind. Folks round here say this poor fella must have gotten a wif of that stuff.

[Chip Hindes]

alcohol from corn oil is looking good

Now you've gone and set me off.

Corn is a net negative. It takes more energy to plant, cultivate, water, harvest and process corn into alcohol or oil than you can get back by burning the alcohol or oil thus produced. The only way it works now is that the diesel the growers use is heavily subsidized by the rest of the taxpayers and coal fired electric power is cheap as long as the midwest plants are permitted to dump sulfuric acid and other pollutants into the air without penalty.

Funny (actually not funny at all) that you never hear this from those incessant ads from ADM saying "we'll just grow more". Makes me want to puke.

But I'm guessing what you really meant is that you were gonna use the squeezins for personal consumption, to help you forget about how much you were paying for gas.

[tidalwave]

Our Governor is now talking about going to 20% corn based ethanol from the 10% at present. (We can still get 'non-oxygenated' premium for our outboards that don't like ethanol). I keep reading studies from our state government that ethanol production in Minnesota is about 60% efficient...that is, it produces slightly more energy than it requires to make it. Don't know if the politicians are talking through their hats or not.
I am a state employee and our motor pool cars are all 85% ethanol blend machines.
One problem is that when we switched to 10%, our mileage dropped because ethanol has less energy per gallon than gasoline. I suspect we will have another big drop in vehicle mileage if we are forced to buy 20%.
I wonder if the any of the new hybrid cars can tow 4000-5000 lb loads?

Sure am glad that, at least, when I get to the marina that I can just put up my sails and utilize my 'solar panels' to get me through the waves. There certainly more energy per square foot in solar produced wind than in solar panel electricity.

[waternwaves]

Chip....

we could go into the energy balance equations....but that is correct....corn is better for eating and drinking if you are not allergic to corn or whiskey...

Plants are damn inefficient at converting solar energy and extracting carbon dioxide from the air....on a btu's per acre basis...

Even 5 % efficient solar panels.....are 70 times more efficient than plants...


truth is there is plenty of energy raining down on us every day in this country..even in the winter.....it is just low density.....and we being the supreme predator/omnivore on the planet..like our ergs a little denser....
Oil maybe old converted biomass.....or it may be just old special rock drippings.....either way.....we can synthesize what we need... and believe me.....at $100 or more a barrel.....we will make the energy dense fuels and energy storage systems we need...lol, and maybe change the way we live also.....but I doubt it.

BTW.....loved the corn squeezins storyline..... but we used glass too....them copper condensation coils well.....they may kill the bugs....but I like my firewater charcoal mellowed a bit.... so I'll keep the glass and filter parts..... an withhhhh them good termometers tellin me dem temps, Ah kin keep the wood liquor in the fuel buckets.....and me drinkin likker in me jug...

So, at 100 or more a barrel, I expect to see a lot more solar panels on the roofs of those homes......, gonna be a lot of low E glass sold.......lol

but on the mac....has anyone completely covered the companionway hatch with solar panels yet....., I think I am going to do the front hatch first.... but those prices are getting tempting...

And speaking of ArcherDanielsMidland......definitely not the only corporation foisting off fake science to the masses......

I wont name names....but it is amazing how the business of govt.is protecting business..... I may be fiscally conservative.....but.....

IF you dont control your borders people....and there is an unlimited supply of cheaper workers owners and consumers trying to get in...

WE will all lose our standard of living.....

Except for those few who can or have entrenched wealth...

sorry... 1-3 million a year from all sources is too damn many.......WE cant afford the crime, poverty or social programs...Dont get me wrong.....I think those programs have their place...and I think controlled immigration is a good idea, ... but with the immigrant faucet running full stream.... it is a net loss....

ITs not an energy crisis.....fossil fuels will continue to decrease in availablitliy and increase in cost.....but that carbon is still on the planet..in the air....absorped by plants...we have not lost it.....but the amount of solar energy raining down on us is significant.

WE put a men on the moon 35 years ago.....just how is it not possible to seal the damn borders....may I remind the honorable members of this body.....the oaths taken by the guys on top (of both parties over the last 30 years) "

--The oath to be taken by the president on first entering office is specified in Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Too bad it doesnt say anything about defending the people, borders.... etc....

however in the most recent inaguration address....
"My most solemn duty is to protect this nation and its people against further attacks and emerging threats." gives me hope.


well, I guess I turned that crank far enough.... and when the time comes to pay 3.00 a gallon.....remember those who died and served to make it possbile for us to play in this wonderful country.

I for one will either pay it, and not complain or have an alternative fuel, and still revel in the beauty of sailing our coasts.... I dont need to make shell or Texaco rich..... I will continue to use less fuel as I get older.....downsizing homes, smaller vehicles....alternative power, conservation...

But I will still be thankful for the sacrifice of others much greater than mine.
Thank god our service men and women take their oaths seriously.

Read it again sometime and remember

I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

So thankyou to every damn one of the `100's of thousands who made my sitting here....possible....

and those Sitting in hummers, bradleys, missile silo's, boomers, Fast attack, AWAC's and every other thankless niche in the sleepless vigil that protects us.........Well done.......come home safe.

Sorry to hijack the thread....I wish it was going to be less than 3.00 a gallon....but it will get there soon.....prepare.....the sky is not falling. The wind will blow........and my white hulled X will still be slower than your M,

Peace to all....

(Editors note: no....alcohol was not involved in the content or delivery of the above editorial) )corn mush references aside.

Darren

[Rob M]

Glad I own a Mac if this is True !!
Oil tops $55 US amid 'super spike' prediction
Last Updated Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:26:28 EST
CBC News
TORONTO - Crude oil futures topped the $55 US-a-barrel level in noon-hour trading Thursday as a prominent investment bank suggested that oil markets could be in for a "super spike" that could see prices go as high as $105 US a barrel.

That prediction came in a research report from U.S. brokerage firm Goldman Sachs.


Gasoline prices near record (CP File Photo)
"We believe oil markets may have entered the early stages of what we have referred to as a "super spike" period a multi-year trading band of oil prices high enough to meaningfully reduce energy consumption and recreate a spare capacity cushion only after which will lower energy prices return,'' the Goldman report said.

Most oil analysts aren't as pessimistic as the ones who wrote the Goldman Sachs report. But since Goldman is a huge trader of energy derivatives, its analysis attracted immediate attention.

Oil markets were already rattled by worries over refining capacity as traders pointed to signs that refineries aren't able to process crude fast enough to keep up with rising demand for gasoline.

"Crude oil keeps rolling into key consuming markets, but refiners have been slow to convert it into enough gasoline and heating oil to rebuild product stocks," Energy Intelligence said in a report on its web site.

Wednesday's petroleum inventory report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed crude oil supplies were near a three-year high. But it also showed that the U.S. imported more oil last week than it had all year.

Furthermore, inventories of gasoline fell by a bigger-than-expected 2.9 million barrels last week.

Gasoline demand isn't expected to peak until the summer driving season begins in May, but refineries are already running flat out. Analysts say that's a recipe for future price rises.

Not surprisingly, rising oil prices led to rising prices for oil stocks. That powered the TSX higher, allowing it to add to Wednesday's big gains.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 86 points to 9570 at 12:07 p.m. ET. The 2.9 per cent rise in the TSX energy group led all sectors.

Petro-Canada gained $2.57 to $69.64; EnCana climbed $2.29 to $84.50; Suncor surged $2.82 to $48.51

[Rich Plumb]

I watched a program on PBS not long ago that examined Iceland's efforts to become 100% hydrogen based. They have no fossil fuel base but do have electricity from hydroelectric and geothermal. It takes water and electricity to produce hydrogen. We need a way to produce large amounts of cheap electricity. I would like to see us accelerate the research and development of controlled nuclear fusion.

Rich Plumb