High gas prices no threat to CABS

A year ago gas prices were hovering just below $2 a gallon. Although those prices seemed high at the time, they are relatively low compared to the nearly $3 per gallon seen today. At the current price levels an 18-gallon tank can cost nearly $54 dollars to fill.
Now multiply that nearly $3 a gallon by 3,000. That is about how much it costs to run the Campus Area Bus Service buses weekly. 

As expensive as it sounds, Ohio State is confident it will be able to maintain its regular service routes even with gas prices on the rise. 

"We've anticipated fuel rise and have made allotments for it in our budget," said Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation and Parking. 

CABS, as well as other university vehicles, gets fuel from the on-site gas station on West Campus. This fuel station is available because of a contract between Transportation and Parking and State of Ohio resources. 

This contract not only ensures that OSU can run its CABS service at full-time without worry, but also regulates the rates at which the university purchases its fuel. Currently, OSU sells regular and diesel at $2.30 per gallon, and B-20, a bio-diesel fuel used for the buses, at $2.20 per gallon. 

"Most of what you pay for in gas is taxes, we don't have to pay that," Blouch said. 

Nearly 20 percent of the price of a gallon of gas is tax, which is used for highway repairs and construction.









According to the Federal Department of Energy Web site, one barrel of crude oil contains 42 gallons, but when refined it produces only 19.9 gallons of finished motor gasoline, as well as other petroleum products. 

Some students are relieved to know that CABS will still be in full effect, even as the price of gasoline continue to rise. 

"With the Core Circulator gone, I think it would have been a terrible inconvenience to the students to not have full service of the Campus Loops. For people who have classes on 9th and then classes on Woodruff immediately following, it's the only way they can get there on time," said Mary Stallings, a senior in political science. 

"Hopefully we're saving the students, staff and faculty a lot of gas by having them ride the campus bus," Blouch said.

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Gas drilling might disappoint investors: NYT

While gas companies like ConocoPhillips and Chesapeake Energy Corporation are making big bets on wells to extract energy from shale formations, industry insiders have doubts that the companies will be able to deliver on their promises to investors.
which prepared a report based on an investigation of e-mails and documents, energy executive, industry lawyers, state geologists and market scepticism question whether natural gas companies are exaggerating how productive their wells will be.

 it researched well data and found that many of them are surrounded by less-productive zones that cost more to drill and operate than the resulting gas is worth.

The newspaper said its investigation found that in many of the wells, the amount of gas produced is falling faster than the companies had expected.

None of the e-mails explicitly accuse any companies of breaking the law.

Chesapeake could not be reached for comment.

ConocoPhillips, which on June 16 signed a deal with the Bangladesh government over exploration in the Bay of Bengal despite protests from citizen quarters, declined to comment on the issue.

The energy giant will start its seismic survey by December in deep sea blocks 10 and 11, an area of 5158 square kilometres. The depth of water is between 1,000 and 1,500 metres and the blocks are about 280 kilometres away from the Chittagong port.

The firm under its mandatory work programme must initiate seismic survey in a grid of 10km by 10km space over the whole of the blocks.

The Texas-based company has pledged $160 million bank guarantee for working in three phases and the contract period is nine years.

The oil giant won blocks 10 and 11 in 2008 in the second-round bidding for the production sharing contract (PSC), but could not sign the PSC with state-run Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, or Petrobangla, as parts of these blocks were also claimed by neighbouring India and Myanmar.

The country is divided into 52 blocks, 28 of which are in the Bay.

Experts say ConocoPhillips will have the authority to export 80 percent of gas, and Petrobangla will get the rest, which will have to be carried to the shore at its own cost — not an economically viable proposition for Bangladesh, in any case.

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Luxury Cars That Don't Guzzle Gas

2011 BMW 528i

The terms “luxurious” and “economical” needn’t be mutually exclusive. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or are just tired of having your pocket picked at the pump, there’s a growing number of top-shelf models on the market that boast top fuel efficiency. And we’re not talking about oddball six-figure hybrids that save a few mpg for the sake of environmental street cred among one’s peers – these are mainstream luxury cars that get at least 30 mpg and give up little in terms of either performance or comfort.

For instance, the BMW 528i is not only one of the most pleasurable-to-drive midsize luxury cars, it’s also among the most fuel-efficient. A manual transmission is standard for enthusiasts with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission available at no extra cost for the clutch-averse. Cutting-edge amenities like a rearview camera with top-down side-view perspectives for easier parking and an infrared Night Vision system make it one of the best-selling luxury cars on the road. It’s base-priced at around $45,500 and is rated at 22/32 mpg.

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For those looking to buy American, the Lincoln MKZ hybrid (Lincoln’s version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid) treats its occupants to a luxurious interior while presenting onlookers with a fierce and edgy facade. The car can run at speeds up to 47 mph solely on battery power. Best of all, the MKZ is the only hybrid that’s priced on a par with its gasoline-powered equivalent at about $35,000. It’s rated at 41/36 mpg.

Whoever came up with the moniker “gas guzzler” may have to rethink how they define SUVs thanks to the Lexus RX 450h’s 32/28 mpg rating. Available in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the stylish midsize hybrid luxury crossover SUV is quicker and gets better mileage than its gasoline powered equivalent. Starting at around $44,000, it remains both practical and a pleasure to drive, with a spacious and comfortable wood-trimmed five-passenger cabin that includes 10 airbags.

BMW 335d

The "clean diesel" version of the acclaimed 3 Series sedan is both efficient and sporty, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-six-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower with a whopping 425 pound-feet of torque that ensures quick launches. Driving the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine can take the 335d to 60 mph in just under seven seconds, which is roughly on a par with the 335i gasoline version. Superior suspension and steering systems enable adept cornering abilities that reward a skilled driver at every turn, while an available M Sport package turns the 335d into an even racier package. Priced at around $44,500, it's rated at 23/36 mpg.

Lexus HS 250h

Lexus' midsize five-passenger hybrid-powered luxury sedan is more handsomely styled than its cousin at Toyota, the Prius. Though it can't match that model's fuel economy, it's more refined and delivers more luxury-car-like comfort and performance. A 2.4-liter gas/electric powertrain produces 187 horsepower, with comfort-tuned ride and handling characteristics. In a nod to the car's "green" nature, around 30 percent of its cabin and trunk materials are so-called bioplastics that are responsible for 20 percent less carbon dioxide emissions. It starts at around $36,000 and is rated at 35/34 mpg.

Lexus RX 450h

Available in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the stylish midsize RX 450h hybrid luxury crossover SUV is quicker and gets better mileage than its gasoline powered equivalent with its 295-horsepower electrified 3.5-liter V-6 powertrain. It remains both practical and a pleasure to drive, with a spacious and comfortable wood-trimmed five-passenger cabin that includes 10 airbags. Starting at around $44,000, high-tech options include a head-up display that projects pertinent data onto the windshield in the driver's line of sight. It's rated at 32/28 mpg.

Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln's version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid features formal chrome-capped styling, and treats its occupants to a more luxurious interior. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor generate a V6-like 191 horsepower, and the car can run at speeds up to 47 mph solely on battery power. A novel dashboard display helps motorists maximize their fuel efficiency. It comes with a long list of standard convenience features that includes heated and cooled front seats. Best of all, the MKZ is the only hybrid that's priced on a par with its gasoline-powered equivalent at about $35,000. It's rated at 41/36 mpg.

Mercedes E350 BlueTEC

This is the most-efficient version of Mercedes' elegant and accommodating midsize E-Class sedan, and it leverages its 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 engine for V-8-grade off-the-line acceleration with 210 horsepower and a generous 400 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently. Buyers can upgrade the base comfort-oriented suspension to a sport package for improved handling and specific upgrades at no difference in price, which starts at just over $51,000. It's rated at 22/33 mpg.

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