To Inflate OR to Drill, That is the Question
Obama says Americans should inflate our tires to the proper level.
McCain says Americans should drill offshore.
Which plan is more beneficial?
Well, that depends on what you think is beneficial. If you think spending billions of dollars setting up offshore drilling that will further foster our dependence on fossil fuels, destroy marine life, and not make a difference until about the year 2030, then you should go the McCain route.
If you want a difference (environmentally AND financially) RIGHT NOW, today, for free, check out Obama's energy plan.
Here's a video that helps explain it, via ClimateProgress.org:
Michael Grunwald of TIME Magazine reported on the Obama energy plan earlier this week.
He said, "How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce."
This has been the conservative response to Obama's energy plan...even to the point of mochery, as you can see in the video.
Grunwald went on to say,
But who's really out of touch? The Bush Administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 barrelsl per day by 2030. We use about 20 million barrels per day, so that would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now. Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other words: Obama is right.
Here at The Fun Times Guide to Living Green, we've talked about these same tips to saving fuel and money before (as well as 3 other free tips to improve your gas mileage).
The truth of the matter is that I'm not political at all. I also choose not to vote--regardless of how much I like the candidate or their plans (not because I don't care, but not voting is casting MY vote...in the only way I know how).
The cool thing about Obama as a person is that he's promoting simple things that every single person can do right now to make a difference in their finances and the environment.
That, I like!
Check out more great ways to save money at the pump and increase your fuel efficiency at FuelEconomy.gov.
How naive you are. In case you didn't know...the world, your job, this blog, etc requires energy. Energy people like Russia and the U.S. are willing to fight for. That's life, that's reality. If you don't like it head for the woods.
The Russia Georgia situation pretty much highlighted that Obama is not ready to lead the big dog in a dangerous world.
Should we check our tire pressure yes. Should we secure our energy resources here, including oil, yes. This needs to be fought on multiple fronts.
Worry about the short term now, free the economy up, and fund innovation. Alternative fuel sources are far away and we have major problems now that involve security.
Good for you for laying it out so clearly!McCain has had some success in portraying Obama's suggestion as frivolous and ignorant, but it's actually common sense.
That's a lot of numbers to be throwing around.
In general I think we should all be conserving as much as possible. So, inflating tires, tuning up, slowing down, fewer trips... all great ideas.
I tried to research and see if I could come up with how much gasoline we consume in a year. Of course my quick search revealed more questions than answers. Like this report that says we use about 4 gallons of gas per day. So at a 3% savings for proper inflation that would save about 43 gallons a year per family (or about $175 a year) Not a bad start right?
Well here's where the rub comes in... how much of that gas that is consumed each day is 'consumer'? How much is say, marine or fleet trucks or military?
Here's a report that shows gasoline consumption by state and per capita. It says we use about 2.5 Billion barrels a year. 3% (tire inflation savings) of that is 73 million barrels or about the same number of barrels (200,000 per day X 365 days = 73 million barrels per year).
So ain't it just like politicians to agrue over numbers, say things differently and have the same end result?
I ask this. Why not drill offshore and reduce dependency? Why not inflate tires properly and reduce dependency? Why not turn the American farmer loose and let him grow some ethanol?
I think we're going to have to fight this battle on every front to gain an upper hand. I'm pretty much tired of hearing the 2 sides argue about it.
Is it November yet? Let's get this election over with so we can start working on the problems and stop talking about them.
McCain's plan has some limited value but it is not very focused on the long term and it is rife with dishonesty and political pandering. More specifically, that argument that offshore oil drilling will help short term oil prices is total bunk and even Bush will admit to that. All it will do is condinute our dependence on a non-renewable fuel, damage the environment and insure the profitability of the oil companies for years to come. How about a plan that actually benefits the American people? I'm not a huge fan of Nuclear, but we need something and it's better than coal. Again not a long term solution, but there are benefits that we can realize now.