2008 Woodie Awards
Students urge gas consumption reform
Trent Orris
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Feature
Kirkwood student Jason Larson has a reply to President Bush's call for the nation to conserve gasoline whenever possible.
"Sure, if I had more access to alternatives, I would certainly take advantage of that, but the bus doesn't come by my house and I'm too far to walk or ride to school," Larson said.
Bush's call follows the devastation Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused to oil refineries in the Gulf Coast, which produce 1.8 million barrels per day. Although Bush said Texas and Louisiana refining capacities affected by the storms will be functioning again soon, he urged American motorists to conserve gasoline wherever possible.
This isn't easy for many Kirkwood students who depend on their cars to get to school.
"I take direct routes whenever possible. I used to drive around everywhere but I can't drive anywhere for fun anymore because of the gas prices," Larson said. "I think if you're pretty close to work or school, you should go ahead and walk. I don't have that option."
Bush also said he would continue the suspension of antipollution laws for gasoline and the Jones Act shipping law to help oil shipments in the wake of the hurricane.
"We will continue the waivers to allow the winter blends to be used through the country," Bush said, referring to Environmental Protection Agency actions soon after last month's Hurricane Katrina. "We have instructed the EPA to ... keep the suspension in place, which should ... increase the supply."
Larson disagrees with Bush's stance, even if it means temporarily lower gas prices.
"I don't agree with the pollution law suspension at all. There's a reason those laws were put in place and this isn't a good reason to suspend it."
Larson also has his own theory on how to alleviate high prices at the pump.
"If they really want to get gas prices down, the government should put more pressure on the oil companies and car companies. If the heads of the oil companies gave up a year's salary, they could afford to lower prices. The car companies need to push the advancement of the alternate fuel vehicles, so we don't depend on gas so much," Larson said.
"Sure, if I had more access to alternatives, I would certainly take advantage of that, but the bus doesn't come by my house and I'm too far to walk or ride to school," Larson said.
Bush's call follows the devastation Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused to oil refineries in the Gulf Coast, which produce 1.8 million barrels per day. Although Bush said Texas and Louisiana refining capacities affected by the storms will be functioning again soon, he urged American motorists to conserve gasoline wherever possible.
This isn't easy for many Kirkwood students who depend on their cars to get to school.
"I take direct routes whenever possible. I used to drive around everywhere but I can't drive anywhere for fun anymore because of the gas prices," Larson said. "I think if you're pretty close to work or school, you should go ahead and walk. I don't have that option."
Bush also said he would continue the suspension of antipollution laws for gasoline and the Jones Act shipping law to help oil shipments in the wake of the hurricane.
"We will continue the waivers to allow the winter blends to be used through the country," Bush said, referring to Environmental Protection Agency actions soon after last month's Hurricane Katrina. "We have instructed the EPA to ... keep the suspension in place, which should ... increase the supply."
Larson disagrees with Bush's stance, even if it means temporarily lower gas prices.
"I don't agree with the pollution law suspension at all. There's a reason those laws were put in place and this isn't a good reason to suspend it."
Larson also has his own theory on how to alleviate high prices at the pump.
"If they really want to get gas prices down, the government should put more pressure on the oil companies and car companies. If the heads of the oil companies gave up a year's salary, they could afford to lower prices. The car companies need to push the advancement of the alternate fuel vehicles, so we don't depend on gas so much," Larson said.