<Record Oil Company Profits and High Gas Prices: A Connection?The Oil DrumThe Politics of Oil: The Discourse Must Change>

Thursday Open Thread: The "What Have You Done with The Press Release?" Edition

Posted by Prof. Goose on April 27, 2006 - 10:45am
Topic: Miscellaneous
Tags: oil, peak oil [list all tags]

Send (or link to) the press release to your elected representatives, media outlets, put it in the comments at other blogs.  even if someone has done it already, hit it again!  This set of ideas needs to get out.

how to get in touch with your MoC: http://house.gov, http://senate.gov (though the suggestion about getting to the staffers in the comments of the prior post is a good one), check out your state House and Senate sites too, send it locally...send it somewhere! Emails, print it out and give it to people, whatever!

don't forget to check out the next post regarding the peak oil and sustainability conference in DC either.

121 comments on Thursday Open Thread: The "What Have You Done with The Press Release?" Edition

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

Leanan on April 27, 2006 - 11:07am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
Pushing for the return of the 55 mph speed limit might be a good first goal.  Even if it's only on a state by state basis.

I found this article interesting.  Hybrid owners are allowed to use the HOV lanes - and they are infuriating the other drivers.  Why?  Because they go so slow.  

There's a good reason Prius owners may be tempted to ease off the pedal. They see the impact their speed has on the gas tank. When Jim Feichtl sped along at 75 to 80 m.p.h. in his hybrid, the trip-o-meter on the dash that gauges his gas mileage up to the second told him he was getting between 35 and 39 m.p.g. When he dropped to under 65 m.p.h., he got 46 m.p.g.

When Paul Burnett of Alameda, Calif., went 55 m.p.h. in his Prius on his Interstate 880 commute, he got better than 56 m.p.g..

The proof was right on the dashboard, right in front of their eyes.

Maybe we don't need devices that automatically limit vehicle speed, or platoons of extra cops...

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 11:10am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
How about one of those instant-read MPG meters in every car?

Stimulus-response, stimulus-response...

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Consume More on April 27, 2006 - 11:28am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Seriously, one of the clever parts of the hybrid system is what I like to call the "social engineering" aspect-- prominently placing instant and intermediate-term mileage guages on the dashbord makes the driver constantly aware of the mileage he/she's getting.  Driving my Civic Hybrid is like driving a video game, and I'm always doing what I can to increase my mileage at any given time.

If you want to get better gas mileage, follow a hybrid driver.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
kjmclark on April 27, 2006 - 12:49pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Some in a prior post suggested putting in a vacuum guage, which would do something similar.  

This is a really great idea!  We could even have an idiot light version.  A "Poor Fuel Economy" light that goes on during situations where you are getting worse mpg than normal, for whatever reason.  Maybe this could be a three LED "MPG" light, with red for poor, yellow for normal, green for good.

This is the sort of thing a behavioral economist would come up with.  With just a tiny bit more information, we can tell the motorist when they are wasting money.  Since people hate to waste money, they would have a strong incentive to keep the yellow or green light on.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 2:09pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I have a bike computer that performes twelve different functions and cost all of $10.  

Seriously, this kind of feedback can't be expensive, why aren't more automakers including it?  (I say 'more' because from googling around I see that a) it isn't a new idea at all and b) some non-hybrid cars already include it, I know my friends BMW does and it's six years old)

I wanna buy one for my civic, if I find an aftermarket source of any kind I'll let y'all know.

BTW, my bike computer says I get "excellent mileage" (say that with a Rain Man voice)

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
kvenlander on April 27, 2006 - 2:29pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
See ScanGauge (seems to be sold out now but coming in May). ThinkGeek.com used to sell these for $129 or so.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 2:34pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
awesome, thanks!
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Iowan on April 27, 2006 - 4:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I once had a 1993 Lincoln that had both current MPG and cumulative MPG. It was a real eye-opener on bad driving habits. By using the current guage, I was able to get my cumulative mileage up to 22 MPG on the beast.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Engineer-Poet on April 27, 2006 - 5:24pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
My trip computer cumulative MPG on the Passat has often read over 48 MPG, and sometimes over 50 MPG.  The gauge reads a bit higher than the real economy, but it's still amazing to see such numbers from a 5-passenger car.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
ericy on April 27, 2006 - 4:14pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Haha - years ago I was riding in a friend's Lincoln Continential (one of the largest cars around before the SUV craze), and it had such a thing.  We were driving back from something one night, and he looks down and says "Look - we are getting 39 mpg".  Of course we were going downhill at the time....
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
RickD on April 27, 2006 - 9:38pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Or this one for $ 27.99.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2008961/c-10101/Nty -1/p-2008961/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=miles

MILES-PER-GALLON GAUGE
For all cars, trucks, vans and RVs
Miles-per-gallon scale shows actual gas mileage as you drive
Easy to install on or under dash
Slash your fuel costs with this easy-to-read illuminated fuel economy-performance gauge. Color-coded zones tell you when your engine is producing the most power for the least gas. Approx. 3-1/2" diam. face. With mounting housing. Complete with Operating/Installation Manual.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
haggisbasher on April 27, 2006 - 12:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
This would be require only a simple change in manufacturing regulations, could be implemented quickly, and would help reduce the consumption across the spectrum of vehicle types.  My experience of driving cars fitted with these devices is that is difficult to ignore them, it is very human to try to improve your score.  Without really being aware of it, you learn a driving style which maximizes consumption.  I find myself using exactly the techniques I learnt even though I now drive a car without a meter.
Another "pain free" change could be that manufacturers are required to published detailed consumption graphs - ie consumption in various gears / speeds.  Many people are not aware of the massive increase in fuel use which occurs between 50 and 75.
This may be academic - once consumers begin to feel real pain they may demand these improvements.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Leanan on April 27, 2006 - 1:02pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
My experience of driving cars fitted with these devices is that is difficult to ignore them, it is very human to try to improve your score.

Very true.  I've even seen Prius drivers comparing scores at red lights.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Engineer-Poet on April 27, 2006 - 5:29pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
As long as you're at it, standard cruise control (with requirements for accuracy) would save a lot of fuel too.  And if someone could come up with an inexpensive way of making an adaptive cruise control which would let cars cruise in "trains" perhaps ten feet apart, the cut in fuel consumption from the reduced drag would help even more.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Twilight on April 27, 2006 - 8:25pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Actually, while I like a cruise control that holds a very constant speed, I believe it is more economical to let it droop on the uphill and speed up downhill.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Engineer-Poet on April 28, 2006 - 2:47am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Perhaps (for gas cars), but if it's going to be usable in traffic then you have the difficulty of specifying a speed vs. grade curve as part of the standard (so that vehicles can remain in cruise going up and down hills).  Much easier just to peg a speed and hold it.

I get much better economy in the diesel when I hold constant speed up hills, accelerate over the crest and then drop to neutral to coast down.  It would be even more different in a hybrid.  Any specification should probably be written with hybrids or EV's in mind, as everything else is going to be obsolete in a decade or so but we'll be stuck with the legacy standard.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
PhilRelig on April 28, 2006 - 6:53am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
The standard-equipment cruise control is an excellent idea.  Cruise control makes it a lot easier for an inveterate lead-foot such as myself to maintain the speed limit.  

(And like I said on another thread, here's an endorsement for the 55 mph speed limit from someone who by nature much prefers the speedlimitless conditions of the German Autobahn.  Chafing as I always have under speed limits, I really never thought that day would come!)

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
kjmclark on April 27, 2006 - 12:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Apologies to Ben, who said something very similar a few posts down and a half-hour earlier.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
welaka on April 27, 2006 - 6:06pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I have a 2005 volvo suv guzzler (purchased before I learned about PO) that allows me to toggle between ave mpg, instantaneous mgp, and miles left in the tank.  I spend so much time trying to maximize my instantaneous mpg that I've probably become a driving hazard.  It has, however,  taught me to use my lead foot sparingly.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
LJR on April 27, 2006 - 8:20pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I installed a ScanGauge in my VW TDI diesel Jetta.  It plugs into the OBDII connector and shows, among many other things, instantaneous MPG and current trip MPG.  I discovered that putting the transmission in neutral when coasting down hills makes almost 5 mpg difference overall!  I am compulsive now about getting the best mileage I can because it's possible to see it in real time.  The current trip display is best for me.

The ScanGauge works on any gas or diesel OBDII compliant vehicle.  This means any car sold in the US after 1996 should work fine.  Installation is a snap - just plug it into the diagnostic socket and take a few minutes to set it up.

Check out www.scangauge.com for more information.  I notice they are sold out right now.  I paid $129 for mine and it's saved me a bundle.  I was heading up the grapevine toward LA outside of Bakersfield when I lost most of my power.  By checking the ScanGauge I saw that my MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) reading was low.  Turns out the mechanism that changes the pitch of my turbo vanes had gotten stuck.  I reached in and released it.  There's no other way I could have made that diagnosis without having Vag-Com software, a reader interface, and a laptop computer.

I also got an indication of trouble on my dashboard display that indicated the glowplugs were malfunctioning.  The ScanGauge reported an error code that turned out to be related to a malfunction in the injection pump.  Having that read out at the VW dealer would have cost $80.  Then they would have gotten me for $1800 for a rebuilt injection pump!  As it was I bought an injection pump on eBay for $377 and installed it myself.

The ScanGauge isn't without its flaws but overall I consider it a good value.

I don't imagine most people would use it to the extent that I have, but I think it's worth it just for the MPG display.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have no financial interest in ScanGauge.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 8:38pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
It sounds neat, but it won't work with my Civic, unless it has a proper port, and it was built in 1990 so I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks for all the info!

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
LJR on April 27, 2006 - 10:02pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I had a 1990 Honda Civic hatchback.  I loved that car.  Easy to work on, great mileage and it handled pretty well.  But you're right about ScanGauge not working with it.  Too bad.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Twilight on April 27, 2006 - 8:23pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I've suggested that too - it's hard to resist trying for high score!
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
odograph on April 27, 2006 - 11:34am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I've got the stickers, and I use old time good driving rules.  I stick to the right lanes unless I'm passing.  When there is a crunch in traffic I can get out in the carpool lane and pass without slowing people down.

I normally drive 65 in one of the right lanes and get 50+ mpg.  When I get in the carpool lane I might go 65-75, depending on whether anyone is catching me.

I don't think having a hybrid is an excuse for bad, impolite, driving.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
ericy on April 27, 2006 - 11:53am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

There are a lot of drivers who don't care.  You could have it display the mileage in 6 inch numbers, and it wouldn't matter at all.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Leanan on April 27, 2006 - 12:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
That's right - and it's okay.  It's not a failure just because some people continue to speed.  

Besides, I think with more awareness, there will be a tipping point of sorts, where the fast suddenly isn't cool any more.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 12:18pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Years ago, we owned a Jeep that averaged eight MPG.  I think it would have been nice to have instant feedback so we could try and improve.  Of course, gas was only a buck back then.  

Even an idiot light - green, yellow, red - indicating if you were sucking lots of gas would be useful feedback.  Sure, some would ignore it (the folks that aren't exactly pinching pennies to begin with, for starters) and some cars would never get a meter (like the 76 pontiac I was stuck behind yesterday) but it could still be a very useful tool and can't cost much.  Who knows, we just might learn somethin'

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
turbosaab on April 27, 2006 - 6:13pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
My Saab has this (a '93.. so did the '87... so do the new ones). Both an instantaneous bar graph and a cumulative average. It also has a green economy zone painted on the tachometer and a bright orange "Shift Up" light that comes on when RPMs increase.

I do occasionally see how well I can do, but I can't say I pay attention to it most of the time.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Twilight on April 27, 2006 - 8:29pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
OK then, when you gas up, the pump will transmit the gas price you paid to the engine computer, and then it can display in $ per mile!  If anything will get attention, that will!
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Paul on April 27, 2006 - 4:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
In Ontario, Hydro One did a study to see if power displays showing 'live' energy usage would affect consumption rates. They found an average 10% decline in the electricity used over a year study.  We just need to make electricty consumption into a game of lowest score wins.

http://www.ecobc.org/NewsToday/2005/12/TodaysNews1741/index.cfm

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 11:08am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
FWIW, I've sent the entire release to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R, Texas) and requested a response.

I'm not holding my breath.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
MillMan on April 27, 2006 - 11:13am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
Cape Wind update

Kennedy continues to be an embarrassment, but as the article implies, hopefully all the attention energy issues have been getting recently will force the politicians to give the project a green light.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Calorie on April 27, 2006 - 12:28pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
MillMan,

I am appalled that Ted Kennedy is opposed to the wind farm.  I'm also dismayed at Gov. Mitt Romney's opposition. Another article in yesterday's Boston Globe also caught my eye: New England at greater risk of power woes than rest of Northeast.

BOSTON --New England's failure to build new electricity generating plants will put the region at a higher-than-usual risk of resorting to precautions this summer to keep its power grid from overloading, an organization that oversees the grid said Wednesday.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
PedalPusher on April 27, 2006 - 1:54pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Likewise. We have the technology, we have the location, we have the money, we have the oil-power to set it up, we have the citizens of this country on board for alternative energy... yet a politician's ocean-front view might be slightly disrupted so he wants to kill the whole thing??

Sorry if I sound cynical, but if these are the kind of "leaders" we have during Peak Oil, then we as a nation are done for. He's well-informed of Peak Oil and knows the consequences yet chooses otherwise based on his own selfishness. And, in the event of a terrorist attack, he and other politicians already have places in government bunkers where they can hide. So if that ever happens, they are the ones to re-populate the world.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Triffin on April 27, 2006 - 3:32pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
The utility should target the rolling
blackouts to the towns these characters
live in .. First town to suffer the
brown out should by Hyannis .. Even if
the good Senator has a backup power supply,
he'll hear all about it from the neighbors ..

Triff ..

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
totoneila on April 27, 2006 - 8:26pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Hello MillMan,

If New England leaders could fully and carefully explain Peakoil to their constituents and institute a Powerdown program: the 'failure' to build new detritus-powered electrogen-plants would instead be seen as a huge 'success'.  The sooner people accept the idea that infinite detritus growth is impossible-- the better off they will be.  Biosolar windmills are the better alternative to try and hold off the imposition of Duncan's Olduvai Gorge Theory.

Bob Shaw in Phx,Az  Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Leanan on April 27, 2006 - 11:17am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
From Tuesday's Kuwait Times: Kuwait MPs call for cap on oil production

Five lawmakers yesterday filed a draft law calling on the government to limit oil production in line with actual proven reserves, which have been claimed to be lower than the officially stated figure of 100 billion barrels. The four-article bill stipulates that the new production figure should not exceed the percentage of actual output in the past two fiscal years divided by proven reserves. The bill was signed by MPs Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Mussallam Al-Barrak, Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Hassan Jowhar and Waleed Al-Jari, all members of the Popular Action Bloc.

The draft law was filed in light of the controversy raised recently on the actual size of proven Kuwaiti oil reserves after the Petroleum Intelligence Weekly (PIW) reported in January that Kuwaiti reserves were only half of the announced figure of 100 billion barrels. PIW also claimed that proven reserves amounted only to 24.2 billion barrels, citing internal Kuwaiti records it claimed it had seen. Kuwaiti oil authorities have denied the report, with Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah saying that the report spoke only about 31 reservoirs which were being used by Kuwait while ignoring 74 other untapped reservoirs. MP Saadoun had sent a lengthy question to Sheikh Ahmad inquiring about the report but the question has not yet been answered.

Explaining the bill, the MPs said that Kuwait produced slightly below one billion barrels of crude oil in each of the past two fiscal years. Based on official figures on reserves of 100 billion barrels, the actual production each year amounted to just one per cent of the reserves. It added that actual production in the coming years must not exceed one percentage point of proven reserves based on authenticated official figures which must be supplied by the energy ministry to the National Assembly.

It further clarified that if Kuwaiti reserves were more than 100 billion barrels, the production ceiling will increase and similarly if proven reserves were less, the production ceiling must be reduced accordingly. But it left the door open to change the percentage in accordance with Kuwaiti economic interests. To become effective, the bill must be approved by the Assembly and endorsed by HH the Amir.

Dunno if it has a chance of passing or what...

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Nick Rouse on April 27, 2006 - 12:25pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
This sounds very much like Colin Campbell's Depletion Protocol (previously Rimini or Uppsala Protocol)
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Dave Cohen on April 27, 2006 - 11:19am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
Disappointing.

A search of Google News on "The Oil Drum" only yields links for this story at Alternet and The Energy Bulletin.

Despite the truth and quality of this editorial, we can't seem to crack the MSM. Is our traffic up?

[Repeated from end of editorial thread]

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Ben on April 27, 2006 - 11:22am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Google news search on the discourse must change

Perhaps "the oil drum" is too common a phrase and Google filters it out of the search results?  I dunno how google works, but choose other keywords and see what you find.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Prof. Goose on April 27, 2006 - 11:23am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
hit the technorati/google tags at the bottom of the post...that's the trackback mechanism.
0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Prof. Goose on April 27, 2006 - 11:23am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I'll put my response here too.

Not much of a bump over the normal 10k/day pace of late.  I'm willing to hear some more ideas on how to spread this around.  We've emailed it to everyone we know, hit the top 100 blogs, etc.

I think it's going to have to be a groundswell of our readers hitting comment boxes on other bigger blogs, emailing it to elected officials, etc.  

There's a few others than what you have mentioned that have picked it up, hit the trackback (t-rati,google) below the post.

any ideas?

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Dave Cohen on April 27, 2006 - 11:34am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Those trackback searches are looking for the url (at least on my browser) and naturally this gets no results.
0