Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - North Dakotans try to deal with rising oil prices

North Dakotans try to deal with rising oil prices

MIKE McCLEARY/Tribune Roger Kubista, of Bowman, fills his gas tank at the Holiday Station in Bismarck on Saturday. Kubista said the recent high gas prices have caused him to reduce the number of smaller trips in the state in order to save for more important travels such as visiting family in Seattle, Wash.

Jan 07, 2008 - 04:05:11 CST

By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

With a barrel of crude oil reaching $100 and forecasts of gas prices reaching anywhere from $4 to $6 in the next year, some North Dakotans are preparing for the worst while others are taking it in stride.

"It'll kill us," asserted Chuck Morman, Morton County highway superintendent. "And it's not just the price for fuel for the county vehicles, it affects everything."

Morton's fuel budget for 2007 finished $90,000 in the red, and Morman had the dubious duty of predicting what fuel prices will be in 2008 as he put together his budget for this year back in August of 2007.

In 2006 Morman estimated $275,000 for fuel in 2007, but reality was closer to $380,000. He's guessing $400,000 will be needed in 2008, but in light of recent developments is worried that's not near enough.

"I literally cannot plan for it. If I need an order of fuel tomorrow and I call today at 5 p.m. they (fuel company) will not even give me a price and tell me to call back in the morning," Morman said.

Morman also has experienced trouble getting fuel. One day he called for fuel and was told 6,000 gallons was available and the next he was told there wasn't a single gallon available.

"I read where the Mandan refinery produces more fuel than North Dakota can use and yet we couldn't get any," Morman said. "I know they have contracts they have to fill, but I'm beginning to understand the proposal that there be a state-owned refinery."

Morman also has seen the price of crude oil dramatically impact other areas. Motorgrader tires have gone from $450 a piece to more than $1,100. Asphalt prices continue to skyrocket.

"In order to pay for those things we have to take dollars from other areas. Sometimes we don't even have the money for routine maintenance," Morman said.

Jeff Heintz, Bismarck's service operations director, increased his department's fuel budget for 2008 by 67 percent.

"Last year we went way over what was budgeted. What happens is, there are just some things we don't do. If diesel fuel ends up costing me more, we do less in other areas," Heintz said. "I'm just hoping we don't get the big winter storm, at least not those like back in 1996 or 1997."

This year Bismarck estimated $65,000 in fuel for equipment used for disposal of garbage at the landfill. Next year Heintz is budgeting for $128,000.

In the past, the city would put out a request for fuel and three or four vendors would reply and the city could take the lowest and best bid.

"Now we're at the mercy of the vendors. We don't have the luxury of waiting for several vendors to reply to our request, because if we wait too long there won't be any available," Heintz said.

The prices at the pump brought varied responses from three consumers on Saturday morning.

Bowman's Roger Kubista, who owns a construction company, is resigned to having to pay higher prices, but knows there will have to be some cutbacks in his life.

"I'm getting to the age of retirement and I want to go on vacations and visit my kids out in Seattle. I don't have much of a choice, I have to pay the prices," Kubista said. "I'm a small business owner and we use trucks at the job sites. I just try to be more efficient in their use."

And it's not only the rising prices that have impacted Bowman, according to Kubista, but the availability of fuel.

"Farmers had to leave corn and sunflowers in the fields because there wasn't any fuel to be had. Those crops are still there as far as I know. Now that's affecting our food chain. It's a sad situation," Kubista said.

Jose Salacsar said he won't let the prices bother him.

"In a month or two, I'll be able to stop driving all together. I live close to where I work, so I'll either walk or ride my bike," Salacsar said. "I really don't drive that much now and I really don't care how high the price of gas goes."

Tessa Hoskins, lives and works in Bismarck, but her home and family are in Minneapolis, so she makes a lot of trips back and forth. She's considering buying a motorscooter to get around town.

"What I don't understand is why we have a refinery right here, but our prices for gas are higher than in Minnesota," Hoskins said. "I expect we'll be paying over $4 a gallon before too long."

Bismarck police officer Doug Ketterling said the prices have already forced a change in his lifestyle and as soon as the temperatures warm up, he'll be doing more bike riding.

"I'm not doing as much driving around town, and the driving I do is done more efficiently," Ketterling said.

State tourism director Sara Otte Coleman doesn't expect fuel prices to change her department's strategy for promoting the state.

"We focus regionally, anyway, as you know, we're budget-challenged," Otte Coleman said.

Otte Coleman said vacations are very important to most people, and they'll cut back in other places before cutting their vacation plans.

"They may not travel as far or take as many vacations, but vacations are important to them," Otte Coleman said. "I haven't seen a lot of people change their lifestyles as far as travel patterns. And here in North Dakota, we're experiencing a strong economy, I'm just hopeful it stays that way."

Otte Coleman also has a farm and ranch and her family is definitely feeling the crunch of gas prices.

"We do a lot of driving back and forth between town and the farm, and we drive big vehicles," she said. "We've been asking ourselves if it would make sense to buy another car to take advantage of flex-fuels or other alternatives? But we don't need another vehicle expense. Fuel prices have also caused crop inputs to go way up."

State agricultural commissioner Roger Johnson said it is the lower and middle income folks who are being hit hardest by energy costs. A higher percentage of their disposable income ends up being committed for gas.

"What are their choices? Driving less or trading for a vehicle that gets better gas mileage. People with lower incomes don't have those options," Johnson said.

With his own car, which is a little older, Johnson tries to blend in some E-85 fuel with the regular gas. He suggests that more study be done looking at 20-, 30- and even 40-percent ethanol blends that perhaps can give similar performance to regular gas without ethanol.

"There are blender pumps where folks can pick their blend by just pushing a button. They are available some places in South Dakota, but I don't know of any in North Dakota," Johnson said. "I use a little E-85 in my car, but then it doesn't have a factory warranty anymore."

For ag producers, fuel prices are one thing to deal with, but the price of fuel impacts many areas, including fertilizer, equipment and other inputs.

"The big thing that people don't pay attention to is the cost of fuel to bring all those inputs to the farm and then to transport all the produce from the farm to market," Johnson said. "Oil prices are a big deal for everybody."

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

To Rebecca wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:12 AM:

" Almost all the mid to large size SUV's with a 3rd seat will seat 8. I have yet to find a mini van (excluding the Chev Astro/GMC Safari) that seat 8. everything seats 7. and the ones that do get the same gas mile age.....From Paul "

NoDak John wrote on Jan 13, 2008 10:46 PM:

" Bob, The way I look at it is that if I don’t waste money in one area, then I have it to use in another. Since I have no need to stomp on the gas pedal to prove anything to anyone, I keep my mpg up and my billfold doesn’t get empty so fast. I have had the same people zoom past me on the freeway a number of times. What in the world are they doing? Stopping at every "watering hole in the country? I just keep up a steady pace and get there in one piece. As you said, just because you can afford to waste gas is no excuse for doing so. I, for one, don’t want to see our gas prices to equal those in yurp. (Home of the EU). "

NoDak John wrote on Jan 13, 2008 10:35 PM:

" Daffer, It started back in the 50's . Oil wells in Texas and Oklahoma and other states which were owned by independents were targeted. Many of those wells were subsequently capped. Go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ And start digging. "

daffer wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:03 PM:

" NoDak John, what specific oil wells are you talking about that are restricted to produce one day every six weeks, and according to what law is this allegedly happening? "

Bob wrote on Jan 12, 2008 9:34 AM:

" to Rebecca too! wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:51 PM:

Having money does not give you the right to waster energy. Having said that, everyone has the opportunity to use as much fuel/energy as they can afford. That will not be true if we start having shortages. The new energy bill will force people into smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. The change may not be fast enough to stop increasing prices or potential shortages, however. Other examples of how things will change include: Minnesota is looking at lowering speed limits. California is looking at installing thermostats that let utilities change a building's temperature by remote control during summer power emergencies. We had something similar in MPLS. They could turn our A/C off for 15 minutes every 30 minutes. Worked great, they gave us a credit for just having the device. Expect to see more restrictions as energy/fuel shortages increase. Finally, are your comments that of a thoughtful, rational adult? When faced with an energy crisis should we dig in our heels and do business as usual? In the end we will all sink or swim together. "

Math Boy wrote on Jan 12, 2008 6:39 AM:

" People can't control daily gas prices at the pump but they can decide what they are going to drive and how much fuel the use. Complaining about gas prices won't make them lower. Only a large decrease in consumption will do that. "

to Rebecca too! wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:51 PM:

" My SUV can fit 8.....have you forgotten the roof rack??

I never in my wildest dreams/nightmares would I drive minivan--let alone a Prius!---what does it matter to you anyway, as to what I drive?? I worked for it...I earned it it....I drive it! Gotta problem? "

To Rebecca wrote on Jan 11, 2008 4:22 PM:

" Suburbans, Yukons, and Expeditions can fit 8 to name a few... "

Rebecca wrote on Jan 11, 2008 10:28 AM:

" To Paul: In that case, you probably need a van. I don't know of any SUV's that seat 8 people. I was responding more to those who have two or three kids and need a larger vehicle for booster seats and such. "

NoDak John wrote on Jan 11, 2008 8:11 AM:

" According to my top level service technician, cleaning the injectors with chevron injector cleaner does pay. I also add diesel fuel conditioner to the furnace fuel and the burner pot is now running cleaner. ½ ounce of miracle oil per gallon of gas or diesel reduces upper cylinder friction and helps keep the injectors lubricated and clean. In air cooled engines you will find that they run cooler during hot weather. Keep an eye on tire pressures and keep them at the level rated as Max. Psi on the tire. Driving as if you had a rotten egg between your foot and the accelerator will also give you top milage. On a trip to Denver this summer, I was able to get my milage over 30 mpg on a Buick LeSabre with a 3800 engine and with 4 people and luggage.. "

To Rebecca: wrote on Jan 11, 2008 8:09 AM:

" They still dont seat 8 people dear.....try again.

Paul "

NoDak John wrote on Jan 11, 2008 7:57 AM:

" The higher costs of heating and transportation fuels is literally sucking the life blood out of this country. It is high time that the DC “representatives” and “Senators” get it in gear and do a REAL investigation into those bills from years ago which have so severely restricted crude production from our oil fields. Pumping a well for one day every six weeks obviously cuts deeply into production. As for myself, I have gone to higher tire pressures and numerous other maintenance procedures and fewer trips to cut transportation costs. To reduce our heating oil needs, we have dropped the house temp to 65 degrees and put on another layer of clothing. We have also shut down heating to the second floor and installed more thermal windows. The bay window is now 3 panes, and that has surely improved the losses there. "

Bob wrote on Jan 10, 2008 8:17 PM:

" zeldazelda wrote on Jan 9, 2008 4:53 PM: " I have never had a drivers licence, .....” That might become a lot more common down the road as more people live in cities. “I agree with JIMBO from 01/08/08.I also say build as many wind farms as possible and perhaps harness the Missouri River and the Red River to hydro electric power...” They already harness the Missouri at Garrison, Fort Peck and Oahu. Water levels are very low now which has reduced the power generated by 50% or more over normal years. The Red River area is probably too flat to build a dam and people are not going to flood all that expensive farmland. "

Bob wrote on Jan 10, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Indie wrote on Jan 9, 2008 8:22 AM: “Unfortunately, we haven't been very serious about finding alternative fuels to this point.” I would disagree with that statement. Billions of dollars have been spent on alternative fuels like hydrogen and ethanol. It is important to remember that the oil industry has been around for 100 plus years. It will take decades for any alternative fuel to take the place of gasoline or diesel no matter how good it is, Rome wasn't built in a day. :-) "

Mythbuster wrote on Jan 10, 2008 7:22 PM:

" Mid-sized and large cars are just as safe for drivers and passengers as SUV's. Compact cars are riskier than SUV's. SUV's and pickups are at much higher risk of rollover than cars. Just some data from the web but the different sources tell pretty much the same story. People seem to feel less at risk in SUV's and pickups and that can translate into how they drive and can lead to problems. "

Rebecca wrote on Jan 10, 2008 3:31 PM:

" To SUV owners: I realize the need for space, but hybrids aren't all tiny little cars anymore. The Toyota Prius is a nice midsized car that gets 48 mpg in town. Better yet, the Ford Escape (an SUV) gets as high as 39 mpg on the highway. Much better than 15 or 20. Sometimes all it takes is a little research when you buy your next vehicle. A good site is www.fueleconomy.gov. Also, I agree with the statement that pickups and SUVs are not better on icy roads. Maybe for getting through the snow in town, but I feel much safer in my little Saturn on the highway than I do in a big pick-up that is vulnerable to fishtailing, wind, and slow braking time. "

gg wrote on Jan 10, 2008 7:58 AM:

" Electric vehicles will be great when they can travel more than 40 miles. GM and other companies in the silicon valley have made great strides in battery technology but it needs to get better. Lets not forget, whatever we get needs to be able to stand up to our winters as well. In high school and college I had a ford Aspire. Great car in the summer and started no matter how cold, but I tell you what if the streets weren't completely clear of snow and ice I was stuck.
Also, I am in Paul's boat. I have 3 small kids. ALl in car seats. It's rough to find a car that fits us all and if we do find one, chevy impala for instance, they don't get more than 16 in town anyway. We get that with our suv so why would I buy a car? "

zeldazelda wrote on Jan 9, 2008 4:53 PM:

" I have never had a drivers licence, nor have I ever owned a vehicle (I have vision problems) yet I have been in nearly 30 countries and at least 25 states. Most of this travel has been on public transportation and the rest while ride-sharing, the cost of which is rising. When I lived in San Francisco I rode "Muni" and when I lived in Bismarck I walked or rode a bike (until I had an accident due to my lack of peripheral vision), now that I live in a small town I walk everywhere there: to church, to the grocery store and to visit family and friends. Still the rising cost of fuel will hit me too with the higher cost of goods and the higher cost of going to get them. I agree with JIMBO from 01/08/08.I also say build as many wind farms as possible and perhaps harness the Missouri River and the Red River to hydro electric power, get electric powered vehicle going in force and put the greedy oil companies out of business. When you are the only cook in town you can charge what you want...lets give them a run for their money!!! "

No Common Sense wrote on Jan 9, 2008 2:39 PM:

" And to add fuel to the fire, increases in alternative fuels like ethanol are driving up corn prices. Which in turn, drives up all kinds of food prices.
These are not the answer. JB stated it previously: Go nuclear and transistion to electric/hydro systems. That's the way to go for the long run...... "

Indie wrote on Jan 9, 2008 8:22 AM:

" To Jimbo. Yup; you hit the nail squarely. The trickle down is the killer. Prices of everything will rise due to increased fuel costs and people will stop buying. Prices won't be able to go down to match decreased demand without going below the cost of production. The economy would implode. If the price of a meal at a local restaurant went up 50% due to increased costs but gas was $5 a gallon, how many would still drive across town to a restuarant for a meal as often as they do now? Worldwide demand is driving oil prices including demand here. Only a reduction in demand will change the direction of oil prices. That can occur through decreased useage including alternative fuels. Unfortunately, we haven't been very serious about finding alternative fuels to this point. Increased domestic production and refining of oil would increase supply but only on a short term basis. World demand for the very finite supply of crude oil has to decrease or prices will continue to rise. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Jan 9, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Safety First stated: " havent you ever thought of safety I mean hello! Let's drive our tiny little hybrid on the interstate with slick roads get by a semi and die a tiny little hybrid isn't my idea of safty! That's why i would take a pickup over a hybrid..." I wouldn't put much faith in a pickup/ semi or any other vehicle collision for that matter. Besides, I've seen more 4x4 pickups in the ditch on icy roads than other vehicles, once the back end starts to fish tail, you can pretty much forget about regaining control. During a rollover, a pickup isn't going to give you any more protection than a hybrid or a four cylinder car. "

another view wrote on Jan 9, 2008 6:40 AM:

" I got my MDU bill yesterday & about fell over.....more than triple the cost of last month's. I called, and the employee said the cost of nat. gas tripled....... "

JB wrote on Jan 9, 2008 6:18 AM:

" To commenters discussing performance vs. fuel economy: Decades ago, the automotive engineers decided to put their R&D efforts into performance, for that magical "zero to sixty" number off the line. All that time, their efforts could have been going into fuel efficiency instead. I was fairly young at the time, so I don't remember any debates on the issue - don't know if there were any. Was Detroit telling us what we wanted in our cars, or were we telling them what we wanted in our cars? Neither a farmer nor a soccer mom needs to jump off the line at a stop light. They need better mileage. "

i see wrote on Jan 9, 2008 3:13 AM:

" I see chevy is coming out with a car that will go 100 mph and drive 40 miles using no gas what so ever (on the electric motor). 0-60 in 8 seconds. It recharges on a 110 volt plug in or recharges when running on gas or diesel. One article I read put it at 150 mpg. The only problem is it only seats four. If the car was affordable to the middle class I would buy one. The technology is there to build cars, trucks and suv's so we don't have to use sooooooooo much fuel. I just wonder if the oil company's will allow it. "

Paul wrote on Jan 9, 2008 1:48 AM:

" I would love a more fuel efficiant vehicle. but with 6 kids I have my choice...drive one vehicle getting 15-20mpg and my whole family rides together....or drive two cars getting 30-35mpg and we caravan seprately....what can I say, I dont always have my famiy in the SUV with me but that does not mean I dont need something that seats 8. Maybe its just me...but I like to ride with my family together rather than boys in one car and girls in another..... "

ndguy wrote on Jan 8, 2008 12:52 PM:

" My wife and I would love to buy an electric car. We checked into it and found one manufacutred in Fargo. Looked good. It won't go over 30 MPH. Ever try to climb UMary hill at 30 MPH. It's not a pretty sight even now with 4 lanes. If you want an electric with more power you are looking at 30-40 thousand dollars starting price. Sorry guys, I can't afford it. I'll stick to my little "plain Jane" Saturn. It's older and doesn't look the best but it gets 40MPG. Now, my SUV. . . don't ask. "

No Common Sense wrote on Jan 8, 2008 11:35 AM:

" The answer on change is us. We drive the market demand for business.
We need to put the pressure on auto makers for the products that we want. Hybrid Vans & SUVs are coming and will be on the market if we demand them.
The technology is there. We just need to use our wallets..... "

Jimbo wrote on Jan 8, 2008 10:27 AM:

" Everyone is missing the point, This is the tip of the ice berg. You have heard of the trickle down effect, wait until we see the results of the trickle down effect of 5.00 gas. The extra cost to fill your tank is going to be nothing compared to what it will do to the rest of the economy. Everything, and I mean eveything we buy will increase because of the cost of fuel. "

Avid Reader wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:24 AM:

" How about the costs of doing the primary business up here, farming....anhydros, $760 a ton yesterday at Cenex....it's not just oil prices that we have to deal with now. "

MamaMia wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:27 AM:

" It might look like everyone is tooling around town in their gas guzzling SUVs, but in my case, I live out in the country and first have to get into town to do my tooling around. You try negotiating a quarter mile of gravel road with snow up to your wheel wells in some little mini car or hybrid. Ain't gonna happen. I need my SUV to get out of my freakin' yard most winters! "

would love 1 wrote on Jan 8, 2008 3:12 AM:

" I would love a hybrid. How do they do in the ND winters. I have talked to a few poeple about them and I contsantly hear mixed emotions. Some say they don't or won't run right in the cold weather (if you don't have a garage). What is the cost difference when buying one (compare the chevy malibu to the hybrid malibu). What is the mpg difference if comparing the same cars. Are they safe for a family. I have one small child and one on the way. Some of the cars out there don't look safe enough for me to put my babies in. "

squidward wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:18 PM:

" isn't it funny how the so called tolerant liberals rip into anyone who disagrees with them. Heaven forbid I put family safety over fuel efficiency. I need to drop my kids off at daycare before i'm the only one in the big car. big deal. I drive very gently and get the most out of every drop of gas i can. get a life you intolerant hypocrites. get the Iranians to stop burning the natural gas off their oil for energy. then they won't need nuclear power plants. "

im biking wrote on Jan 7, 2008 9:29 PM:

" gas 4-6$ a gallon....time to get the bike out "

JB wrote on Jan 7, 2008 8:45 PM:

" Build a car-hauling commuter train between Bismarck-Fargo-Grand Forks. The only problem is, it's a big up front expenditure for infrastructure, possibly including newer high speed rated RR tracks. Once it's in place, it's in place though. Let's somehow spend ND tax money on something like that before WSI gets it instead. The GOP would call it socialism. The Non-Partisan League would call it looking out for the common man. "

safety first wrote on Jan 7, 2008 4:51 PM:

" havent you ever thought of safety I mean hello! Let's drive our tiny little hybrid on the interstate with slick roads get by a semi and die a tiny little hybrid isn't my idea of safty!That's why i would take a pickup over a hybrid but hey don't get me wrong the automobile industry needs to start making pickup's and suv's that are fuel efficent before we do run out of fuel please! "

No Conscience! wrote on Jan 7, 2008 3:08 PM:

" To: That Guy wrote on Jan 7, 2008 12:51 PM: . . . If you are not part of the solution, you obviously are part of the problem, wasting gasoline on your gas guzzling pick-up. Hopefully, someday, you will wake up and smell the coffee! Think of the future for your children and grandchildren when gas is either no longer available or so expensive you will not afford to drive your gas guzzling pick-up anymore. And you will find it parked behind your house.
"

To fuel efficiency and hybrid owner wrote on Jan 7, 2008 12:53 PM:

" Obviously you have no family. I have three kids. A 7 year old and identical twin 4 year olds. Show me the hybrid and fuel efficient car that I can put three booster seats in and I will buy it today. They don't make cars that people can do that with anymore. There for I have a SUV. At least I can use it not only for transporting my kids to school and day care, but I can use it to tow my camper, haul things, etc, etc. Would I like to have a nice 45mpg vehicle - heck yeah. But I'd need two so we could go some place as a family. Quit judging everyone with and SUV as greedy and egotistical. Yes I am sure there are some out there - but not all of us and I am darn sick and tired of it! I had the wonderful mini-van that everyone says should be more fuel efficient - big whoop the difference between that and my SUV 2 mpg - what's the point. And don't even go there about family size. We only were going to have two kids and got identicals the last time. I think the car company's need to be pressured into making vehicles not only fuel efficient, but actually the size that a family could travel in. I don't need to go zero to 60 in 4 seconds. I just want to get there. "

That Guy wrote on Jan 7, 2008 12:51 PM:

" To the hybrid owners: go fly a kite. I drive what i want, where i want, when i want. I use my pickup for work and play and it suits me just fine. Of course i'd like to see the price of fuel lower but i know how to budget. Don't get all high and mighty on this blog, i'll take my big pickup over your battery operated tuna can any day. "

Fuel Efficiency! wrote on Jan 7, 2008 12:00 PM:

" To: Hybrid owner wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:41 AM: . . . I am also a Hybrid owner. What really jerks my chain is when I see a large pick-up, S.U.V. or Hummer with one person in the vehicle, what a waste of gasoline! Why does anyone need a gas guzzler to commute around town? You are absolutely correct. A small, fuel efficient vehicle should suffice around town, otherwise it is all about ego and personal greed for those who use gas guzzlers for driving around town.

"

Hybrid owner wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:41 AM:

" Bob, you are exactly correct. People do continue to purchase the big gas-guzzlers like there is no tomorrow and the car manufactures continue to turn them out with slick advertising ploys. Then those who drive them, pull away from stoplights like a jackrabbit. Perhaps when fuel goes to five or six dollars a gallon or more, American’s will wake up. Get a small fuel-efficient car, perhaps a hybrid for commuting around town and park the gas-guzzler and use it only when needed. My hybrid gets, on average, 45 mpg. I fill the 12-gallon tank only twice a month (I don’t like to fall below half a tank). When the price of gasoline goes up, I just giggle when I drive by a gas station. But, just look at the current comments; blame the other guy not me, true the government service sector needs to conserve. But so to does the American public. Wake up America, the average European has been driving small fuel-efficient cars for years. "

Ralph's Right wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:04 AM:

" If the local and state maintenance vehicles don't need to be out, they should sit in the shop. I would like them to use hour meters and see how long they sit running in park. Save that fuel for when they need it. If you don't need the workers in, send them home. Save those hours for when we need them, not on overtime. Remember you work for the Tax Payers. "

JimBo wrote on Jan 7, 2008 9:48 AM:

" We have a refinery here but it ships its product to Minnesota first to supply its brand stores so the local distribution price is high because it can't supply both. I only buy my gas at a statition that doesn't get its gas from Tesoro which is Cenex. "

Prior Roughneck wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:59 AM:

" What kind of wages are being made in the Oil Fields of North Dakota? I was there when the last oil boom took place and they are pretty good. How about the tax revenue generated in the oil field? Take all this into consideration and oil prices seem to be a way of sparking employment and taxes. Not everybody can drive a bus from Flasher to Carson. "

Ralph wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:26 AM:

" maybe they should wait til there is actually snow on the ground before they plow it. Maybe they don't need 15 cops sitting in parking lots with cars running all day.
Maybe like the rest of the country the county should cut back on driving. Put the sheriffs dept in hybrids. "

Bob wrote on Jan 7, 2008 6:16 AM:

" Is anyone surprised by the article. Local governments and people in general continue to buy large 6,000 pound vehicles with 300 hp and use them as commuter vehicles. Add to that the fact that countries like China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Poland are expected to have vehicle sales double in the next 5 years to about 17 million units per year. Many of these vehicles are not replacement vehicles that will replace a junked car but are brand new to the market. In other words, the vehicle fleets are growing rapidly. The fun has just started. "

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