gas price test

Tia Nelson says gas prices are not too high. Tia is the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, the man who founded Earth Day some 37 years ago. Across the country nightly news reporters are out in force to interview consumers as they fill up their gas tanks. These reporters are looking for the typical response of outrage so common among shocked Americans accustom to paying very low prices for gasoline. Perhaps you are among this group surprised by the most recent run up in costs at the pump. If so try the following test to see if gas is in fact way too expensive in your area.

Start by determining the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. You can use this online guide. It will help you determine how many miles you can travel using one gallon of gas.

Next push your car the same number of miles you would be able to drive your car on one gallon of gas.

Lastly evaluate the amount of money you would be willing to pay for this service in the future.

There is an incredible amount of energy embodied in petroleum. Our ability to harness this easily extractable, easily transportable fuel has transformed our way of life. Along the way we’ve lost sight of just how precious this resource is. We’ve become accustom to purchasing an incredible amount of energy for an extremely low price. When this resource is available in evermore limited amounts how will we react? How should we respond as a society? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves as the planet peaks in oil production. Time spent grumbling won’t help.