Oh, hey look….facts!

Filed in National by on August 6, 2008

damn!

The Bush Administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 bbl. per day by 2030. We use about 20 million bbl. 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.

OFF SHORE DRILLING!!!!! we need it…see.

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hiding in the open

Comments (48)

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  1. nemski says:

    Hey DV, why the hell are you bringing facts into this? I prefer my gut to facts.

  2. my bad, if it makes you feel better drive home with your windows down and the AC on high tonight

  3. nemski says:

    It’s like bringing brains to a dofus fight.

    It’s like bringing a gun to a knife fight (pun intended).

    It’s like walking in the rain and the snow
    When there’s nowhere to go
    And you’re feelin’ like a part of you is dying
    And you’re looking for the answer in her eyes.
    You think you’re gonna break up
    Then she says she wants to make up

  4. mike w. says:

    Nemski – hop on over to the other thread and explain to me how I’m wrong.

    Right now you’re just evading the argument and not doing anything other than saying “you’re wrong.” without qualifying that with anything. Typical anti-gun debate tactics.

  5. miscreant says:

    Keeping your tires inflated, and your vehicle properly maintained is always good advice, but is merely common sense. Only morons don’t know these very basic facts. The logical conclusion is that Obama is destined to be revered among idiots. There is conclusive evidence of this on this very blog.

    In the meantime, the very *threat* of increased drilling on our own turf has already brought the cost of gas down several percentage points.

  6. Arthur Downs says:

    I have known since I have been driving that proper tire inflation saved gas and assured optimum handling. I assumed that this was common knowledge but did impart the wisdom to others.

    As far as driving with the windows up and the A/C running, this optimizes fuel economy at highway speeds. Opening the windows causes a lot of aerodynamic drag that wastes more energy than the A/C consumes. Some folks do like to put on a symbolic hair shirt at times.

    A news photo taken of Obama on a bicycle a few months ago showed the tires bulging as a result of gross underinflation. Perhaps this was intentional so as to increase rolling resistance and provide more exercise. Then again, he may just have not known any better and just recently been told about tire inflation.

    Perhaps Al Gore is his science advisor.

  7. And when
    you couple that with the statistic from The National Highway Travel Safety
    Administration, which suggests over 27 percent of cars on the highway are
    driving on significantly under-inflated tires, you can see the potential for
    blowouts, accidents, and danger.

    Hey miscreant…that number is almost identical to the people that still think bush is doing a good job…wow, lot of morons out there. I know, I know, facts, they are are so annoying

    http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/05-25-2005/0003689825&EDATE=

  8. In the meantime, the very *threat* of increased drilling on our own turf has already brought the cost of gas down several percentage points.

    imagine what doing something that actually reduces demand, like Obama’s plan would do!

  9. miscreant says:

    “Hey miscreant…that number is almost identical to the people that still think bush is doing a good job…wow, lot of morons out there.”

    Truth! I think Bush is doing a terrible job on most of the significant issues, but he’s not running for president. Please notice that I used small words so you could grasp that concept.

    And, thanks for the link.

  10. Von Cracker says:

    Miscreates’ explanation is feces.

    Speculation drove oil prices up, now we’re seeing the drop due to leveling of said speculation.

    “Threat of drilling” as the cause? Please! Are you a GOP house member or just a loon? (yes, I know, redundant.)

  11. miscreant says:

    “…imagine what doing something that actually reduces demand, like Obama’s plan would do!”

    Agreed… If only his plan had more substance than basic vehicle maintenance. For what it’s worth, I’m aware of his support of alternate energy sources, and am pissed that the current, and past administrations haven’t done more to support development of wind , hydro-electric, and solar.

  12. KMC says:

    We should all just do as Al Gore does:

    “Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

    In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

    The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

    Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

    Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.”

  13. Von Cracker says:

    But what was his carbon footprint?

    Do you know that, Mr. Cut&Paste?

  14. miscreant says:

    “Threat of drilling” as the cause? Please! Are you a GOP house member or just a loon? (yes, I know, redundant.)”

    I’m a fucking loon, so you can kiss my black ass if you don’t like it.

  15. miscreant says:

    “Do you know that, Mr. Cut&Paste?”

    This could be the next QOD:

    Which is more pathetic, linking to a biased news source, or cutting and pasting from one?

  16. Von Cracker says:

    “Agreed… If only his plan had more substance than basic vehicle maintenance. “

    Really? Obviously, you don’t believe that. But if you truly do, may I ask how many times did you need to bang your head against a brick wall to achieve the level of self-imposed retardation on yourself?

    Idiot or bullshitter, so which one are ya?

  17. Von Cracker says:

    Like it? I luv it. xoxoxo

  18. miscreant says:

    “But what was his carbon footprint?”

    Who cares? That little gem of a program was probably modeled on the Catholic religion. Give the church their 10%, say a few Hail Marys on Sunday, then resume being a hypocrite until next week, then repeat.

  19. Von Cracker says:

    Wow! Nice deflection….

  20. miscreant says:

    “Really? Obviously, blah, blah …may I ask how many times did you need to bang your head against a brick wall to achieve the level of self-imposed retardation … blah, blah, blah.., ?

    Is this what happens to you when you no longer have a valid argument, or have a problem articulating an original thought?

    Cool! Thanks for the little dance.

  21. miscreant says:

    “Wow! Nice deflection….”

    See above post.

  22. miscreant says:

    Later, V.Crack, I have to go pump up the tires on my bike. Any carbon credits for that?

  23. Von Cracker says:

    Mucho Gusto!

    Now, you may runnaway…no credits for you!

    and who brought up credits anyway? Work on that reading comp, little buddy.

  24. VC 1- everyone else 0.

    pwned with the carbon footprint offset.

  25. TRUTH TELLER says:

    I repeat folks 64 million acres under lease to big oil 40 million of which are off shore and not one well yet. What is the reason for this does big oil have a plan? As Obama says ” use it or lose it”. I wounder what Big Oil’s response would be if we attempted to revoke their hold on these leases?

  26. Sharon says:

    That study you have linked to is outdated. The figures are from 2005, when oil prices were significantly lower and there was less of a reason to aggressively pursue oil through offshore drilling. If oil is only $50 a barrel (which was the estimate from that study), big, evil oil companies aren’t going to try to get oil from sources that aren’t as profitable. OTOH, if oil goes for $120 per barrel, there’s more of that capitalist incentive to drill.

    Powerline basically eviscerates this argument. I’d link to it, but it would probably get eaten in the queue.

  27. mike w. says:

    KMC – what do you expect? Gore, Obama etc. are politicians, and liberals at that. Laws, sacrifices and what not are for “other people” You didn’t really think Gore would give up his mansion and private jet, or Obama would drive a prius instead of an SUV did you?

  28. Sharon says:

    BTW, the reason oil companies aren’t drilling in the places in the U.S. that there is oil is that it isn’t profitable to do so. It’s more difficult and expensive to drill in shale than offshore. Basic economics, really.

  29. mike w. says:

    Extracting oil from shale isn’t easy or cheap. Drilling off the coast of California where oil is seeping out of the ground is easier, cheaper, and more profitable.

  30. Pandora says:

    Then give up the leases.

  31. Sharon says:

    Why? If the price of oil keeps increasing, it will be worthwhile for oil companies to drill there. You have something against capitalism?

  32. Pandora says:

    No, just greed.

  33. Sharon says:

    LOL

  34. Laws, sacrifices and what not are for “other people”

    did you really just use that reference and intentionally direct it ONLY at Dems? wow

  35. Sharon says:

    Making your company as profitable as possible = greed. Mega LOLs. What do you think people are in business to do? Lose money? Is it unreasonable that a company would have a plan that includes least expensive production methods and more expensive production methods?

    And be honest here, Pandora. If the big, greedy oil companies gave up those leases, Nancy Pelosi would simply say that those companies *really* weren’t interested in energy independence. They just wanted to dirty the water or something. In other words, it’s a political trick.

  36. Pandora says:

    I agree businesses are in it to make money. Fine. They are unpatriotic pieces of crap who deserve no tax breaks. They can go make money on their own. Sink or swim, baby! (Ooh, I think I just channeled DV!)

  37. Sharon says:

    How is being profitable unpatriotic? And why would we not want to encourage business in our own country?

  38. miscreant says:

    “How is being profitable unpatriotic? And why would we not want to encourage business in our own country?”

    It’s a socialist thing. You wouldn’t understand.

    Nor would I.

  39. miscreant says:

    “Now, you may runnaway…no credits for you!”

    Seriously, Comrade, I do 15-20 miles per day on a hybrid, so I know the importance of tire pressure . It’s kind of a trade-off, though. The higher the tire pressure, the more wear and tear on the yambags. Since you’re likely deficient in the yambag department, I’m glad to have the opportunity to educate you such matters. Don’t bother to thank me.

    “and who brought up credits anyway? ”

    I shouldn’t have to explain this to you, but carbon credits can be used to finance carbon reduction schemes. Companies that sell carbon credits to commercial and individual customers who are interested in lowering their carbon footprint on a voluntary basis.

    “Work on that reading comp, little buddy.”

    Yep, it’s likely a character flaw on my part, but I read from several diverse sources in order to get a more balanced point of view.
    You should try it.

  40. mike w. says:

    “How is being profitable unpatriotic? And why would we not want to encourage business in our own country?”

    It’s only unpatriotic if it’s a private business raking in profits and politicians deem said profits “excessive” If the Federal government rakes in $$ while sitting on it’s ass that’s all fine and dandy. And the Fed. Government is never “greedy” by doing so so long as “the right people” (like our benevolent savior Obama) are in charge…… Isn’t that how the liberal thought process works?

  41. mike w. says:

    “It’s a socialist thing. You wouldn’t understand.

    Nor would I.”

    Socialism (and it’s offshoot Communism) have been responsible for more death, tyranny and suffering than any other failed political ideology in history, yet it continues to be peddled to each new generation.

    It’s true proof that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

  42. Duffy says:

    The article referenced does not show the math that proper vehicle maintenance would affect demand. One percent of national demand and 3% increase in fuel economy isn’t apples to apples. Concomitantly, any decrease in price would be met with an increase in demand.

    Lastly, carbon offsets are bullshit. They’re a weasel way out of using more resources and paying some sort of penalty from doing so. However, in Al’s case, he’s buying those offsets from his own company. Like me being a millionaire and donating to a charity: me.

  43. DUFFY IS AWARDED THE SEAL OF EXPERIENCE! HIS COMMENTS THOUGH FAR AND FEW BETWEEN ARE HIGHLY RESPECTED, ED, ED, D, D, d

  44. Duffy says:

    Many thanks. FWIW, liberals are calling bullshit on this one too.

    cf: http://www.deanesmay.com/2008/08/04/inflated-claims/

  45. THOUST IS WELCOME! AND I AM SURE GRATEFUL FOR THIS AWARD

  46. mike w. says:

    DTB – you bestowing these “awards” is a prime example of the blind leading the blind.

  47. Arthur Downs says:

    Another question for the syco-phants of Obama the Omniscient:

    How does one tune up a modern automobile as suggested by the Great Hype?

    Years ago you could replace the points and set the gap, dwell, and spark advance. With electronic ignition and knock sensors, ignition timing is automatically adjusted to assure optimum fuel economy and performance. There is very little in the way of preventive maintenance that can be performed.

    I suppose that people with little aptitude or experience with matters mechanical might repeat some phrase that was common 20 years ago.

  48. mike w. says:

    Art – Oil changes, air filters, and tire pressure is about all you can do with modern vehicles.

    Hell we’d conserve much more gas if Obama just told everyone to drive the speed limit and avoid unnecessary acceleration.