In looking for the reason for the turn around, one can see that domestic production went up

While imports of refined gasoline also went up

And demand, which had risen faster than normal, earlier in the year, has since stabilized, in part one supposes because of the higher prices, and has returned to the same level as last year.

But, as folks are already beginning to note, we are now reaching the point with $70 oil, that we were with $50 oil last year, and there is a growing, if grudging acceptance that this is now the level. (Which leaves one to wonder whether this time next year we will be beginning to accept $90 a barrel oil).

This time last year we were looking for theme music for Peak Oil, [editor's note, by Prof. Goose] (If you click on "No Oil Here Either" in that post, there's actually quite a collection/discussion of songs under there...it's from TOD 1.0) one wonders if a year has changed our musical tastes, or the theme of the songs?

I still remain a little intrigued by the fact that there isn't much of a mention of telling folks to slow down. If they are pawning their jewelry and giving blood to get enough money for gas, perhaps somebody ought to hint that if they started to drive at 55 mph, even though the speed limit may be 70, and most folk are driving at 75, then they will still get there, they are likely to be legal, and they might save enough money that they can get their jewelry back. (Or at least not need to pawn any more). Imagine, all local government might need to do was to put up the odd cost-saving poster along the highway. You know, the "Tired of paying so much for gas - slow down and save a gallon of gas per hundred miles" sort of advert (and no I just guestimated the amount of saving). But when it is discussed the implication is that the change has to be made mandatory since "everyone drives at or above" the speed limit.

Perhaps if folk started working on ways to get traffic to move slower in their own best interests . . . .nah! You're right, it would have to be mandated, just suggesting that you might save money isn't going to be a strong enough argument. Ah well, now how did that song go . . . .?