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How will $4--$5--$6.50? gasoline affect theme parks?


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http://www.daytondai...es-1099082.html

Warren County drew 7.8 million visitors in 2009 to such attractions as Kings Island and Ozone Zipline Adventures, and events that include the U.S. Tennis Association's Western & Southern Open. The majority of visitors drive to area destinations, so gas prices "will have an effect on those people," Smith said.
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I figured this was related:

Ethanol is Coming: E15 to Launch by Summer

http://wot.motortrend.com/ethanol-coming-e15-launch-summer-38041.html

It will be interesting to see the effect this has on the market and whether it'll catch on despite some of the risks it can potentially pose to the vehicle itself. I also wonder how much it will cost...

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a. It is my understanding that this is very unlikely, as Congress may very well make the blend illegal, every car manufacturer has sued the EPA to delay/stop implementation, and the requirements for separate pumps and labeling may very well keep any retailer from even wanting to offer the product.

b. Ethanol does not have as much energy value as gasoline...so unless the E15 is quite a bit cheaper than the E10 typically available, it will cost more to use.

c. Older vehicles and small garden equipment and boat engines may be damaged by E15...so their manufacturers claim. The EPA claims otherwise.

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Oh wow, I didn't know there was all of this going on, I just saw the article and this topic was the first thing that came to mind so I thought I'd post it. I was skeptical when they mentioned the damage that could be done to the fuel system in cars built before 2001. I drive a car built in 2006 and still wouldn't want something so corrosive in my car. And as you've mentioned there is the issue of the energy value of ethanol.

I also see the fact that a special pump would be required as an issue as to whether this would even find its way into many gas stations...

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  • 3 weeks later...

What is also bad, is grocery prices. My wife and I went shopping yesterday and we noticed price increases everywhere through the store. Produce is where I saw a lot of increase.

Where I personally save money at KI, is packing lunch and dinner in a cooler and walking out to the car for a little picnic. If you go to the concession stands and ask for a cup of water, they usually

do not have a problem with it. Water is a lot better to drink on a hot summer day, instead of sugary soft drinks.

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From the article Terpy linked:

Kloza said Americans are on a path to spend $41.5 billion on gas in April, compared with $47 million in July 2008, when prices peaked at about $4.20 a gallon for regular.

Sometimes a little typo goes a long way...

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And that article even mentioned that oil speculators have added $20 to the price of crude. So they are getting rich on speculation, while the rest of the world, already trying to overcome a tough economy is being forced to pay for their increased wealth.

$4, as the article indicates, is really a threshold for what is conceived of as really expensive gas. Back in 2008 when prices were high before, I managed to never pay more than $3.99 a gallon. And back then I was driving a vehicle that averaged about 18 to 20 mpg. I`m thankful now that I have a car that averages right around 30 to 32 mpg. (Although I`m still making car payments on said vehicle). And you know, the US oil companies are going to announce how revenues are up, even though gasoline demand is actually down, despite more people working now, than even a few months ago, when demand, in theory, would have been lower.

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I can't tell you how depressed and pessimistic this makes me. As I said earlier, there comes a point when a part-time job is barely worth it; when gas literally hinders you from visiting friends or family who live only a town or two over. So many people in this country are literally living paycheck to paycheck as is, and increased gas prices truly do put many many families over the edge. With so many people on a the poverty line, when gas prices go up (which raises the prices of everything else) it truly does escalate the cycle of poverty. If you can hardly pay for gas to get to work, and you work to pay for gas, what's the point? And then, when your car breaks down but there's no money to fix it, and any fixing you did do would render a car that has no gas, what's the point again?

I know it's not this simple by any means, and I don't know a lot of the technicalities or terminology, but it seems like we need a gas subsidy or something... Gasoline, for better or worse, is something that our country and economy depends on. The government is what, trillions of dollars in debt due to wars... And yet there's nothing that our leaders and elected officials can do to alleviate the single most draining burden that we have (our reliance on and lack of gasoline)? I don't buy it. It may not be easy, but our country cannot function with $5.00+/gal gas. And if that's what it's expected to be this summer, what will be in summer of 2013? I mean, honestly think about that...

One of the biggest pitfalls against us is that Americans have a very short memory. Remember last time gas prices skyrocketed? There was a massive movement to switch to more efficient vehicles, and research to develop better methods of transportation and power were all the rage. But then what? Gas returned to a comfortable $2.60 or so, and everyone forgot. Trucks began rolling off the assembly line once again, and we all resigned to the fact that gasoline is necessary, and that we're okay with that. Now we hear speculation that drives panic, and once again everyone decides to freak out and buy better cars. And come next winter, gas may return to a then-comfortable $3.20 or so, and everyone will again forget the issues and carry on in ignorance until the next spike. It's a shame.

I almost wish I were born 50 years or so down the road. By then, this will be cleared up one way or another, because the oil will be gone. Think of how much of the world's oil we've used since the mass production of the automobile about 100 years ago? If we could just come up with an alternative that was realistic and get people using it, then the demand for gas would be less, and the price would drop as well.

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I wouldn`t say everyone forgot about trying to conserve fuel. Look at how many hybrids are on the road right now. I see more and more Priuse`s (was it ever decided what the plural form of Prius is?) and Insights on the road nowadays. The issue is that while these cars get incredible gas mileage, the payback period is still a long time, because of the additional added cost. And look at the line up of new electric cars coming out. Car manufacturers are definitely trying to develop a cost effective alternative fuel vehicle. Why? Because if they are the first to mass market such a vehicle that is in the price range of other vehicles, they would have a tremendous hit on their hands and would essentially have a license to print money. And keep in mind that these cars use new technologies which need to be tested before they can be successfully integrated in the mass market.

Yes, increased gas prices do put a pinch on one`s pocket book. (Where is my raise at this year? I last got a raise at my job at the end of last April. I am fortunate though, to have a full time job for a full year now. I just wish I was making what I should be making, and that would help offset the increased cost of gas and school and car loans.

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I wouldn`t say everyone forgot about trying to conserve fuel. Look at how many hybrids are on the road right now. I see more and more Priuse`s (was it ever decided what the plural form of Prius is?) ...

Toyota Motor Sales announced the public decided the plural form is Prii.

http://www.KICentral...ndpost&p=416465

(new users may want to start from the first post at the cited thread!)

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