Does $1/Gallon Gas Cost us More?

Lots of people are speculating about the future price of gas, but like the future price of anything, it is not an exact science. In less than five months, gas has fallen from an average of $4.11/gallon to $1.66/gallon. That is great news for most Americans as a $20 bill can almost fill up your tank again, but is it also a sign of a weak economy? Will low gas prices cause people to stop buying fuel efficient cars? Some have suggested a gas floor imposed by taxes. This money could be used to fund investments in alternative energy. I know that I am breathing easier with under $2 gas, but I am also wary of the future. Your thoughts?

Two of The Greeniuses contributors, including myself, "growed up" in Polk City, FL, a town of little more than a thousand people.


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I have never considered the city management to be conservation minded, but I may have to change my opinion after reading this article. In an effort to encourage water conservation, they are setting up a tiered rate system to reward those who use less water. I know I am always saying this, but people respond to conservation efforts that benefit them financially. I currently pay a flat rate for water up to 8,000 gallons/month, which I never go over, but I think it's unfair if I only use 2,000 gallons. Are a lot of municipalities changing to this system? Do you think it will reduce water usage?

I admittedly know nothing about the harvesting of algae for use as a biofuel, but the prospects sound promising. This Wired article outlines a defense department initiative to study the prospect of turning algae into jet fuel. According to the article, it is much more efficient for use as a fuel than corn, and it's use wouldn't increase the price of a food crop as not too many people are eating algae these days. Again, this is the type of research that is necessary now, but with fuel prices dropping, I hope it will continue to be funded and pursued.