Artifact #8

Bibliography: Mascaro, Lisa. "Gas prices changing suburban lifestyles." LA Daily News 2 Oct. 2005. 16 Jan. 2007 .

Notes:
-*The article begins describing all the activities that a mother drives to on each night of the week.* The mother then says she does plan her trips ‘more efficiently’.
-“ ‘Once the gas prices went up, I really started taking it seriously," said Caprine’ ”
- “…monthly gas bill easily runs more than $600.”
- "As gas prices have nearly doubled this year, suburban families are adjusting their way of life in sprawling Los Angeles County, where most activities depend on a car”
- Things people are doing to save money and use less gas: carpools, multi-purpose trips, or walking and other transportation.
- Lifestyles always change when people realize the amount they are paying for gas. Later, you can see that the types of cars people buy and places they choose to live/work are affected.
- “Though she drives a fairly efficient Toyota Avalon sedan - which still costs $50 a week to fill up - the family's next car will be a hybrid” Motorcycles are other alternatives for some.
- “I think this is a huge issue for our world today,"—gas consumer
- Many families realize that they can not have a smaller car with their lifestyles even though SUV cost.

Questions:
-Hybrids, walking, buses-will people truly consider them?
- How does this affect teens and their driving habits?

Artifact # 7

Bibliography: "A Primer on Gasoline Prices." Energy Information Administration. 17 Jan. 2007
primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html>.

Notes:
-“Gasoline, one of the main products refined from crude oil, accounts for just about 17 percent of the energy consumed in the United States.”
- Gas for trucks and automobiles are the most common use but its also used to boats, machinery, recreational vehicles etc.
-More gas is produced during the summer {driving season}.
-3 types of gasoline: regular, mid-grade, and premium. Differece is octane level. “Price levels vary by grade, but the price differential between grades is generally constant.”
-Gasoline goes through refineries and is transported through pipelines to chains that serve the gas stations.
-“The cost to produce and deliver gasoline to consumers includes the cost of crude oil to refiners, refinery processing costs, marketing and distribution costs, and finally the retail station costs and taxes.” Prices paid and profits are also affected.
-Taxes have an effect on the price.
-“The price on the pump reflects both the retailer’s purchase cost for the product and the other costs of operating the service station. It also reflects local market conditions and factors, such as the desirability of the location and the marketing strategy of the owner.”
- Prices can change even if crude oil price does not. This is because of seasons and competition.
- Other major things that affect gas prices are: supply, major world events or domestic problems of the industry itself.
- Reasons for the change of prices: Seasons, Changes in cost of crude oil, supply/demand not equal and able to be met.
- Prices differ between regions. There are 7 regions in the United States.
-Prices are different based on the region because of : proximity of supply, supply distribution, competition locally, and the environmental programs in the area.
-California has much higher gas prices because it has its own ‘reformulated gasoline program’ separate from federal mandate clean gasoline.

Questions:
-Which of the factors can be looked into to reduce the cost?
-How much effect does competition have on the prices?
-Do Americans realize how much of the prices they are paying is because of taxes?

Artifact # 6

Bibliography: "Numbers in the news.(number of iPods sold, internet users in China, price of a gallon of gas)(Brief article)." New York Times Upfront 139.5 (Nov 13, 2006): 5(1). Student Resource Center - Gold. Thomson Gale. Centennial High School (MD). 14 Jan. 2007 .

Notes:
-“$2.31 Average cost of a gallon of gas in the U.S. at the end of September, compared with $3.07 per gallon a year earlier--a 25 percent drop. “

Questions:
-What led to this price drop?
-How long did it stay-when did it change again?

Artifact #5

Bibliography: Serafine, Tatiana. "Gas Pains.(Equitable Resources Inc. expands its exploration-production business)(Brief article)." Forbes 179.1 (Jan 8, 2007): 124. Student Resource Center - Gold. Thomson Gale. Centennial High School (MD). 6 Jan. 2007 .

Notes:
-“Ever volatile natural gas prices obscure the fact that demand for the clean-burning fuel is growing.” Natural Gas Prices are high, so the demand for ‘clean-burning fuel goes up.
-They are expanding their exploration into new ways of production business. From this they have seen an increase in money for them.
- They bought a new pipeline and equipment to make the production faster.

Questions:
- Would this help the economy—directly to the people?
- Would big business be willing to change to new ways?
-Making money for the company, leads to money for the company? Price cuts?

Artifact #4

Bibliography:
Popely, Rick. "Hybrid demand falls with gas prices." The Baltimore Sun. December 31,2006. 03 Jan. 2007. http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-bz.ym.hybrid31dec31,1,6451539.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true

Notes:
-" Demand for hybrids has fallen as fuel prices have eased off historic highs. " The economy and lifestly is affected by the prices. Trends, as hybrid cars spike when it seems more economical, but are often only trends.
-When hybrid cars were "in", people would pay more for them than regular cars; and since gas prices have fallen the amount willing to be paid has dropped.
-Fuel efficiency of vechicles influence car shoppers along with price ranges.
- Sales of hybrid cars and gas prices are linked. "After rising most of this year, hybrid sales dwindled to 19,000 in November from nearly 32,000 in August, when gas prices nationally peaked at more than $3 a gallon". Consumers go by what is, rather then what may be {with maybe later prices falling}
- There are also seasonal patterns in buying numbers. It is also quoted that gas prices directly affect sales.
- This article quotes "Sales of hybrids tend to rise and fall with gas prices. Consumers seem to be more aware of them when it impacts their pocketbook," said Kevin Riddell". As before, they look at prices then and only then.
-Sales of hybrids expected to rise in 2007. Especially with new dealers, and new features or choices.
-""Some consumers just buy for the moment. They react to immediate stuff," said John Wolkonowicz"
-Hybrid is fuel saving. Also help environment.
-"And because you can't predict which way gas prices will be headed" I think this is becuase of all the factors and consumer reaction.



Questions:
-"Still, their timing may work. Gas prices are inching up, and a jump next year could pump up interest in hybrids." Are they rising again?
- Are they better in the long run, gas and environment?
-How could hybrids be improved to be more popular or an even better solution?\
- Why are the prices higher than 'normal' cars?
- How many people would actually consider buying a hybrid?
- What are the other advantages/disadvantages to hybrid cars?