Terror-Free Gas Stations

The other day, I stopped by the Glenmont Hollywood Video and rented "Blue State" with actors Breckin Meyer and Anna Paquin. Great romantic comedy with just the right amount of political discourse. The movie got me thinking about gas stations and where they get their petrol from other than the Middle East. That ignited an internet search for alternative gas stations that sell oil from places other than countries that support terrorism and ignore women's rights, like Saudi Arabia.

It became clear that the top barrel buyers are Shell, Mobil and Chevron. Hess, Citgo and Sunoco claim to buy from Venezuela but having been cornered by one Hugo Chavez's henchmen a few years ago (a very scary story) I'm reluctant to support his crazy persona as well. Besides, it's proven that he helps guerilla groups too, FARC for one.

So who to turn to? If only it was as easy as finding free-range chicken or sustainable light bulbs! I find it interesting to note that every banana, orange or grapefruit I buy has a little barcode to tell me where it comes from. Likewise with the FDA regulating the ingredients list on the back of cereal boxes, milk cartons and loaves of bread. Even clothing has 'made in' labels on the collars as does furniture and appliances. But today, most people are spending triple as much on gasoline and we have no clue where the oil is coming from.

Upon talking with a helpful sales assistant at the headquarters of Stewart's Shops in Saratoga, it seems that gas stations are not to blame. Buying crude oil on the open market is nearly impossible to determine it's source. Blending is also used to help the sale price or process the lower grade crude oil into better quality standards. So, not only is it difficult to determine gas grades but it's also impossible to find out where the airline industry buy their jet fuel or where heating oil for your house comes from.

Fossil fuels aren't necessarily bad, they're simply oil, coal and natural gas originating from decaying plants and animals millions of years old. But because most the surplus originates from countries run by corrupt governments and fossil fuels hurt the environment when refined and the supply is destined to dry up in 50 years, it's obvious that alternative energy, solar or wind energy, is best.

A hybrid is already in my budget for this year but in the meantime, it sure would be nice if the I knew the answers to these questions...