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June 07, 2007
Expanding Gasoline Prompts Lawsuit
From today's Rome News-Tribune: Plaintiffs claim retailers are paying taxes on gallons of colder gasoline, which take up less space, and then keeping extra taxes when heat expands the fuel into more, less-efficient gallons at the pump. Even a federal lawsuit filed in Rome has raised the issue of how the temperature of fuel when pumped can cost consumers — especially those in warmer states. National Institute of Standards and Technology data shows temperatures of fuel at gas stations around the country average about five degrees warmer than the federal standard temperature of 60 degrees at which gas is priced to sell. At Georgia gas stations, according to the federal agency that presented the data, that temperature is 12 degrees higher at 72 degrees. The physics behind the problem is fairly simple. At 60 degrees, a 231-cubic-inch gallon of fuel delivers a certain amount of energy. At 90 degrees, however, the same gallon of fuel expands to more than 235 cubic inches. Because consumers are still paying for 231-cubic-inch gallons they are forced to spend more money — and pay more tax — for the same amount of energy. In practical terms, this means a Roman who pumped 10 gallons of gas into his truck at 90 degrees would be able to drive 196.6 miles, if the vehicle is supposed to get 20 miles per gallon. A pdf of the suit is here. Posted by E. Frank Stephenson at 09:21 AM in Law
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The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it. -Adam Smith
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