September 16, 2005 -Vol. 34 Issue 1
Editorial:Price cap seems inevitable
solution to shortage
By Katie Hauser, junior
For the Editorial Board
With gasoline prices continuing to rise, everyone is carrying
around slightly lighter wallets. Only a few years ago gas prices were around
a dollar a gallon, but now they are three times that amount with no end in
sight.
In the state of Hawaii, the government has developed a solution for this
problem: to put a ceiling, or price cap, on how much citizens can be charged.
Once gas prices reach that point, they cannot increase, even if companies
risk losing their profits.
While hardly anyone can argue with the fact that oil companies make a profit
on the inflation of gas prices, this comes at an economic cost. Gas prices
are making everyone else a little poorer, and the uncertainity of the gas
market is making everyone more than a little nervous. People are being
forced to shift their budgets and leave out things they enjoy. For once,
it is time
for the companies to forget about profit and start thinking about the customers.
Cartoon by Haley Huffman
Technology is available now, such as hybrid vehicles and ethanol,
and more is on the way with hydrogen power. Solutions are developing slowly,
but people do not want to hear of things that might happen when the price
of gas is
so uncertain now.America has come to depend on gasoline-powered transportation,
and Americans need to see a definite solution for the present, not just
the
future.
Setting a ceiling on gas prices would be a huge helping hand. Oil companies
can live off of their millions of dollars of profits for a while.
Other people should not suffer because some business presidents feel
like
making twice
as much as what they should.
Hydrogen vehicles; way of the futures (PRO)
by Phillip Vernon, sophomore
News Editor
Gasoline, as many know, is obviously in short supply. With
prices jumping to around three dollars a gallon, people are looking for a
way out. Now, thanks to modern technology, there is an alternative.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are becoming a popular trend among the work force,
and why shouldn’t they be? They are clean, efficient, and there is
basically an unlimited supply of fuel. They do not produce the harmful chemicals
that are released into the air we breathe that gasoline-powered vehicles
do. The only bi-product produced by hydrogen-powered vehicles is water.
According
to http://www.hydrogenfuelcars.com, this technology will not be available
to the general public until the year 2020. According to this site,
a new hydrogen car would cost about five percent more than the average gas-guzzler,
and has a range of about 200 miles on a full tank.
Even President Bush is willing to try this new technology. In his 2005 State
of the Union Address, he stated that he wanted a one point two billion dollar
investment in hydrogen-powered cars. He wants to reverse America’s
dependency on foreign oil. Hydrogen stations are already popping up all across
the United States. Gasoline stations such as Shell and BP are preparing to
make the change to sell hydrogen at a cost goal of two to three dollars a
gallon.
Hydrogen-powered cars are not just reliable, they are cheap, efficient, and
good for America’s health. They will be a way of the future. In a few
years, people will probably be wondering why anyone ever thought gas was
so good, and future generations will continue to improve the technology.
Current
resources help cut costs (CON)
By Daniel Weilert, sophomore
Ad Designer
Right now, ethanol is the best bet as a fuel source. Ethanol
is a renewable energy resource and can be made from cellulose waste from
sources such as corn and wheat. Ethanol’s positive energy balance
makes it an efficient fuel, meaning that it yields high amounts of energy
usage. In the time of tight supply, ethanol has helped to keep fuel prices
down. Removing ethanol from American supplies would cause dramatic spikes
in fuel prices.
Another technology available now is hybrid cars, which use gasoline and
electric batteries to provide power. Hybrids are more environmentally
friendly than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, because
they generally
provide greater fuel economy. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 gives
a tax credit of up to $3,400 for owners of hybrids. Hybrid Electric Vehicles
may also be configured to emit electrical power to auxiliary loads such
as power tools. Conventional gasoline and regenerative braking provide
all the energy a vehicle needs. Eventually in times of gas shortage,
prices of gasoline will not stay in the one to three dollar areas.
Ethanol mixtures
with oxygen means less tax payment for gallons of fuel. Prices will stay
lower instead of continuing to rise to unforseen heights.
The technology available now is dangerous. When a hydrogen flame is in
the air, it is clear. This makes it difficult to tell if a leak is
burning or not. Another problem with hydrogen fuel is the high cost
of making
reliable fuel cells that would provide electric power in a hydrogen
car. This solution
is too far in the future to be thought of right now anyway.
Americans
have several alternative energy sources now. Why should prices of
gas rise and
everyone just sit back and hope hydrogen power works? Use the resources
available now, and let the future take care of itself.
Review: Reunite with TV
By Katie Hauser, junior
Opinion Editor
High gas prices are forcing everyone to find entertainment
at home. This is a great time of year, as Americans can await the arrival
of a new season of television shows.
Several previews for this year look enticing, and viewers should use every
opportunity to find shows in order to separate the good, the bad, and the
ugly as early as possible.
A new sitcom that should find a large fan base and remain in the “good” category
is Reunion. The show follows a group of six friends throughout their lives.
In the first episode, the group is reunited at a funeral of one of the group.
Although the funeral is in recent times, the show then goes back to the summer
of 1985. Each episode will cover the next year of their lives.
Music from the 80’s and realistic writing draw viewers and keep them
involved with the story line. The murder mystery surrounding the funeral
can only continue to grow, and viewers will want to tune back the next week
to see how everything is progressing.
Cub Voices
How have gas prices
affected your driving??
 Kim Megenity, fr., “My family is driving less.” |
 Nicci Greve, so., “ If prices go any higher, my parents are going to restrict family driving.” |
|
 Sarah Riebel, sr., “ I can’t go anywhere, because my parents say I ‘can’t waste gas.’ If I do go anywhere, I have to pay for it myself.” |
Lance Carlson, teacher. “I have reduced my driving drastically to only necessary places.” |
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