Overhaulin'

Is it better to Drill our own oil to lower fuel price than to force poor people to buy a expensive hybrid car?

Public Comments

1. I think using an alternate fuel source is the best choice. Fossil fuel supplies are as low as ever and it shouldn't be necessary to kill them.
2. fact, E-85 burns twice as fast as regular gasoline, how is this helping the environment? We do need to find alternative means of fuel resources, electrical cars being manufactured would be a great idea!!!!!!!!!! If those with wealth began buying them and using them, it would decrease the demand for gasoline, and gas prices would automatically began to lower for those of us who cannot. Less demand, that is the answer!!!!!! We as well do need to drill our own oil!!!!!!!! OH YEAH, and CH-H has a good answer as well, just below me!!!!!!!!
3. The problem with drilling now is that it is too little too late. It will take 10 years to get that oil to market, by then the poor will either walk, use mass transit or find another means of transportation. Things are not going to get better.
4. We don't have enough oil to make a difference. Let's show TRUE leadership and develop altnernate sources of energy. In the meantime, develop public transportation.
5. If the origin of the oil had any bearing on it's value in the futures market, it sure would be. But since it doesn't, and nobody is forcing anyone to by a prius (thank god), I guess it's kind of a moot point.
6. neither- let the free market decide. how about we end the war and big government spending, thereby combating inflation, thereby stopping our heavy gas prices.
7. Most people that I know cannot AFFORD these hybrid cars. Until their costs come down, these people will hang on to their old beaters (myself included sir). I outright own my 2002 car, insurance has gone down because of its age and the fact it is paid off. To buy a "new hybrid" when I cannot afford one is just plain ludicrous, kind of like putting more money on the credit card even though I have no more money to buy.
8. yes there are not enough hybrids to matter or make a difference right now nor will there be in the next 6 to 8 years !!!!!1
9. Hybird cars are expensive mostly due to demand outstripping supply. As more production lines are converted to manufacture hybrid cars, they will become more affordable.
10. It is better to drill our own oil for NOW, but I think we definitely need to look into alternative energy solutions in the long-term. If this latest surge in oil prices doesn't get Congress to act, I'm not sure what will. Bottom line is that hybrids are still too expensive and hydrogen/ethanol infrastructure is far behind. If we can drill enough oil to keep gas prices down for several years, this will give new technologies enough time to become cheaper and more affordable for average Americans.
11. The problem is that just drilling wont help by itself. You have to be able to refine the oil and make the fuel. We need a couple new refineries or short term, give current refineries a pass on Clean Air act for a year so they can increase their production. The big plus about drilling our own oil is that in a few years, we wont have to import as much foreign oil. We need a way to produce and refine our own oil Talk about an issue, yes, we need alternative fuels, but there is nothing out there that everyone can afford. In fact, working middle class cannot afford it either so, until the magic alternative fuel source is found, and affordable to everyone, we have to deal with oil.
12. It's better to drill for our own oil to reduce dependence on foreign sources. As for the poor people and expensive hybrids, they're pretty much riding the bus now anyway. It's amazing to me that we as a country seem to be completely unable to think beyond right now. "Drilling for oil now won't help us for 5-10 years". Ya think that maybe in 5-10 years, we'll be happy we drilled?
13. no....it is better to not continue our dependence on oil....if we keep the prices the same--which will happen with or without drilling--then people are bound to put their heads together and come up with a better solution to the oil crisis....i.e. alternative fuels. Drilling won't produce any results for, at minimum, 10 years according to the oil industry....so 10 more years of high gas prices AND the destruction of various ecological areas is a bit of a high price to pay....when there are many other solutions. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/41379.html
14. To solve our problem in the USA NOW, we need to drill now, drill here, and if Congress does not pay attention to this, we all need to insure they are ALL not re-elected. We can only change the future by acting now to improve that future, and the change will not start until we act. This does NOT mean ignore the environment, it means, look for balance! If your elected representatives do not act in favor of this, do not vote for them again, either in November or the first time they are up for re-election. DO NOT FORGET! The jerks are counting on you forgetting.
15. The oil that the president propose to drill wont be ready for at least 10 years. The poor people will perish by then waiting and hoping for fuel prices to go down, if the oil companies don't sell it abroad at a higher price instead of selling it to us at a lower price.
16. Tap every available resource and put every effort into developing true sustainable alternatives among other things- it isnt an either or issue- it's an all encompassing one
17. Big Oil doesn't want to "drill our own oil to lower fuel price". They want to drill our own oil to tap into these high prices and make themselves even richer. Fuel prices could be 25% - 50% lower TOMORROW if the "Enron loophole" was shut down by congress today... but Big Oil isn't about to let that happen.
18. I think it's stupid to begin drilling for more oil - it's already inevitable that it's going to run out, so all they'd do if they drill is delay this for a few years. The economy might improve and people's gas will get cheaper, and once this runs out the crash will be worse than ever, since international resources will pretty much be depleted and there won't be much back up. Alternative fuel is the only choice, and alternative types of transportation (hybrid/electric/hydrogen cars, more developed rail systems, etc) are a huge component of this.
19. I have a wind powered car for sail