What if there was a vote to decide if $13.5 billion in tax breaks for oil companies should go into oil alternatives, like solar and wind? What would you want your Senator to do?
Well, as you probably guessed, there was such a vote. We needed 60 votes to prevail, and 59 of them were in. But John McCain ducked the vote.
As a result, instead of powering millions of homes with clean energy and building next-generation solar technology, we’re giving ExxonMobil and other companies billions in tax breaks at a time when they’re already making record profits.What say you ?
Actually we needed 60 to force the senate floor to vote on a bill, this is how republicans have been blocking bills with and without filibustering this entire congress. For those that do not know, this congress has had the most filibusters in the history of our country.
To top it off there have been 8bills regarding energy called up in the Senate this congress and all but two have even gotten the 60votes to make the entire senate vote (or filibuster). 6 bills are being sat on because they lack the 60 and the 2 that got voted on, 1 was voted against by republicans, the other was filibustered by republicans.
But oh well, with a little postering and showmanship in the House of Representatives they’ve actually convinced a large number of Americans it’s the democrats that won’t do anything to help relieve the energy crisis. It’s kind of sad, actually.
I have a crazy liberal Professor who think that nationalizing the oil companies would fix the deficit. Can someone tell me how much the government would make?
Exxon, the biggest oil company, showed 45 billion in profits in 2008. That’s about 3% of this year’s deficit.
No way does nationalizing oil companies fix the deficit.
Of course, your professor may just be looking at gross income, in which case he has no understanding of economics, and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Bu$h / Cheney has used their buddy relationship with big oil to rip off America while the oil companies successfully lobbied auto makers to keep on producing gas guzzlers.
Would rescuing an industry that made oil men rich be the right thing to do?
I think big oil should bail US out. With the price of gas pushing $5 a gallon earlier this year, they are in large measure responsible for the average American’s food, fuel, and living expenses going up dramatically. This likely played a big part in slowing the economy, though not as big as failed mortgages and the like, it certainly hastened the demise.
Therefore, they, the obscene profit makers, should have to give back all of their tax breaks and pay a lot to offset some of the losses this country has suffered as a result of international greed and stupid speculation.
Ideally which companies have the largest proven reserves?
Additionally any other oil company tips are welcomed.
Who has the largest lease, or leasing priority and how is that set up then?
I am looking for an investment opportunity; what would you recommend?
Alberta owns all of the oil sand. The provincial government owns the right to all subsurface and minerals in Alberta, even on private property. Thus the government only leases the rights to subsurface to companies and Alberta collects the royalties on all generated revenue.
If you are looking for investment opportunities this is probably not the way to do it!
Edit: I would look into alberta based coumpaines that have been around a while and have drillin/minning sites that are on a long-term lease. I don’t know many compaines off had but syncrude is one of them. Do a simple google search or talk to a financial advisor. They can help you invest properly, but remember the oil production in alberta is at a low so unless you are ok with investing long term don’t expect a qiuck return. Not untill the economy aka the US dollar sky rockets again (if again)
Why aren’t the Oil Companies building new or updating the old refineries with there record profits?
Question Details:Wouldn’t you think that they would be ready to spend some of there extra profits to update there refineries which are all 40 or 50 years old? Do they know something that we don’t like there unbelievable profits will continue indefinitely or maybe oil is going to run out sooner they anyone realizes?
There is no need presently. They are investing heavily in more efficient production equipment (e.g. energy effecient pumping units are very popular lately). Refineries are operating at below capacity, and demand for refined products is dropping at the moment.
Apparently the big oil companies and power generators (like Shell, BP and the Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation) are very much in favour of cap and trade. Do you think this they’re genuine in their concern for the environment, or is it something else?
Follow the money…………. Cap and trade will artificially raise energy costs and these companies are in the energy business. More revenue for providing the same of product = ever increasing profit. All brought to you by your government. You think they are looking out for you? Cap and trade will also make tons of money for the investment banks.
I mean I own a lot of Exxon stock both my own and inherited. I was thinking, how about if Exxon asks to drill in Alaska, they get told no. Fine, they then refuse to sell gasoline or oil to anyone in the state of the people who vote against them. Get the other oil companies to join them. I bet in about 5 days the people would lynch their elected leaders and the drills would be working just fine.
Your thoughts?
I still don’t know why they put up with the BS congress and Senate have been giving them.. I’d have told them to F O .
Please do not answer this with "because they do".
Give me an example using economics,finance or otehr realistic testable theory to show how oil companies are manipulating prices.
Mosat of your responses ignore the fact that oil companies HAVE NO CONTROL over the price of oil!
It is set by the market – oil is traded on an exchange. It is near impossible for the oil companies to manipulate it!
Yes, they could cut supplies to drive up prices, but then they are selling less!
They have record profits because people refuse to drive fuel efficient cars and as a result the supply can barely cover the demand.
So, once again, please explain how it is the oil companies fault?
Well I do not have my hands on their financials but I know Exxon had 10 billion in NET Profits for the last fiscal year. Prices are set by economic situations.. High prices are caused by the Refineres(turns oil to gas)…destroyed in the hurricanes and still recovering..this has cause a shortage in supplies. The enormous use through cars, jets, boats, trains etc..creates a high demand on the low supplies…thus High prices.
They’re adamant about raising taxes on them and are convinced the oil companies will be nice enough to pay the tax themselves rather than pass it onto consumers. Why do they trust them like that? We’;ll pay more at the pump because of their gullibility.
hey at least they aren’t handing money to them like W used to!
I’m just curious how oil companies acquire the rights to drill offshore. Do they buy the land? from whom? Well a related question is where do they get the rights to drill oil on land? Do they just buy the land?
Congress leases the land to the oil companies.