The Energy Paradigm in Crisis
"Taxi driver Jaime Tinoco works the streets of Caracas in a 1976 Chevy Nova that guzzles 19 gallons (72 liters) of gas a day. But he doesn't worry about fuel efficiency -- filling his tank costs just $2.30. While U.S. consumers struggle with soaring energy prices, Venezuela's gas is now the world's cheapest at 12 cents a gallon and Washington's regional foe, President Hugo Chavez, vows to maintain subsidies that keep fuel dirt-cheap" (Yahoo! News "Energy crisis? Venezuela gas is cheaper than water").
Yet I tanked up at the current bargain price of $2.81/gallon yesterday, a total of $27.00 to the Full mark.
Like many, my wallet is a bit thinner for the extra use but I've long said that higher prices will spur development of other technologies or resources. The Yahoo! News article hints at that "People buy a car because it's comfortable or because it's big," said Isidro Rodriguez, 30, an accountant, as he filled up a new 4-wheel-drive Ford in southern Caracas. "It's not for the price of fuel, because that's never been a problem."
but other reports and commentaries I've heard of late from NPR and Marketplace are more explicit. Increasingly, land (and water) is being given over to wind farms, alternative fuel options are being implemented, and even the government is taking a second look at energy industry subsidies. I don't have a legacy to protect and plan around and I plan on being fairly energy-independent come the Milenial Kingdom, but I still don't mind paying a little bit more now toward a change to forward thinking.
