August | 2006 | The Price of Oil

Posts in August 2006

The Hottest Hoax Around!
Andy Rowell
Aug31
For those of you who continue to insist that humans are causing global warming, Mark Fiore’s latest animated climate satire should clear up any remaining misconceptions. To check it out, click here.
How to Beat the Pump Profiteers
Andy Rowell
Aug31
Feeling a little queasy every time you fill up at the pump because of those high prices? Well you are not alone. Seven out of every ten Americans are now experiencing a real fiscal hit from higher fuel prices at the pump. However, while ordinary Americans are forking over $3 for a gallon of gas,…
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US Congressman Bradley Under Fire Over Oil Investments
Andy Rowell
Aug31
US Representative Jeb Bradley, Republican of New Hampshire, is under fire for owning nearly $1 million in oil, gas and electric company shares, whilst consistently “voting with energy interests since taking office, often stripping key environmental and consumer protections in the process”. Bradley has also taken over $45,000 in campaign contributions from energy industry PACs.
US Regulator Clears ex-Shell Boss
Andy Rowell
Aug31
After a two-year investigation, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced it will not be taking any action against former Shell boss Sir Philip Watts. The ex-Shell Chairman was being investigated over the oil and gas reserves overbooking crisis that hit Shell in 2004, when Shell overstated its proven oil and gas reserves by…
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Presidential Candidates Back Ethanol
Andy Rowell
Aug30
The politics of oil is once again creeping up the political and public agenda in the US. Over the last month a dozen potential presidential candidates have toured the state of Iowa, with most pledging their support for the biofuel ethanol as an alternative to gasoline.
Brussels Attacks Car Companies Over CO2
Andy Rowell
Aug30
Car manufacturers in Europe were given a severe warning from the European Commission yesterday that they face stringent new laws if they fail to live up to their commitments to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
Explosions and Other Oil Tragedies in Iraq
Andy Rowell
Aug29
I’m haunted by the scene described in today’s Reuters article about an explosion at an oil pipeline in Diwaniya, Iraq. It seems that a pool of oil had formed around leaks in a disused pipeline and local people had waded into the pool to siphon off petrol when suddenly the oil exploded into flames. At…
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A Year on From Katrina…
Andy Rowell
Aug29
A year after Katrina wrecked New Orleans, President Bush is touring the still devastated area. As his administration continues to receive a storm of abuse over its handling of the aftermath, a different storm is raging within the world’s scientific community. Are hurricanes becoming more vicious or more frequent?
Corrosion Crisis Spreads as Shell Criticised
Andy Rowell
Aug29
The corrosion crisis within the oil industry continues to spread. Now Shell has been criticised by the shareholder action group, the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) over its corroded gas pipes in Ireland.
South American Cities At Risk As Glaciers Melt
Andy Rowell
Aug29
New research has found that Andean glaciers are melting so fast that some are expected to disappear within 15-25 years, denying major cities water supplies and putting populations and food supplies at risk in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina and Bolivia. Some glaciers in Colombia are now less than 20% of the mass recorded…
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