In contrast to Germany and Europe, the USA does not depend on gas supplies from Russia – but is considered largely energy independent due to oil and gas fracking. This leads to absurd circumstances in some places.
Gasoline prices in the US are falling again – and most Americans have stopped temporarily stocking up on gasoline. The authorities in Texas are calling for voluntary energy saving in extreme heat – the many air conditioning systems could lead to the collapse of the power grid after weeks of temperatures above 40 degrees. Nevertheless, the air conditioners there, like in most Americans, are running at full speed this summer.
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Because in the USA there is almost no sign of an energy crisis: luxury hotels in Florida run gas heaters outdoors even when it is 30 degrees in the shade in order to spread a “romantic campfire flair” in front of the beach and pool facilities . Other hotels keep the air-conditioning in the lobbies so low inside that guests often complain about the cold. The solution suggested by a friendly receptionist: Instead of turning down the air conditioning, fire up the gas fireplace. After all, well-known TV stars like the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” boast that they cool their houses artificially in order to then enjoy “cozy open fires”.
“Any visitor to America will surely notice how shamelessly we squander energy. Conversely, when I was on vacation in Germany, I was impressed by how environmentally conscious people are there. But calls for voluntary energy saving are useless – the waste here is downright grotesque,” says biologist Brienne Thompson from Boston to FOCUS Online. “No wonder: America celebrates celebrities like Kylie Jenner when they boast about postings about their private jets,” says the 25-year-old. “And in this day and age – it’s unbelievable.”
In fact, Jenner from the TV series “The Kardashians” recently triggered a shitstorm on social media. A photo of the 24-year-old in front of her own private jet and that of her partner, rapper Travis Scott, with the Instagram post, “Do we want to take yours or mine?” In addition to millions of likes, it also caused an outcry among the followers. Shortly before, countless Twitter users had insulted the billionaire for her frequent private jet use as “climate criminals”. Jenner’s flights often take less than twenty minutes for routes that are easily accessible by car. “When I saw her post, I erupted in hate,” Thompson said. “Only laws could prevent something like that. Saving energy has to come from the government.”
But for the time being, Joe Biden’s ambitious climate protection plans have failed. After tough negotiations for more than a year, Democrat Joe Manchin’s veto recently thwarted the president’s plans again. For the second time in seven months, the West Virginia senator withheld his needed vote on Biden’s $300 billion renewable energy plans. The climate protection projects of the Democrats are now on hold for several years.
At the same time, US gasoline consumption could soon rise again: After months of costs of around five dollars per gallon (just under four liters) – shockingly high record prices by US standards – fuel costs have been falling again for more than six weeks. Although gasoline still costs an average of $1.30 more than last year, the price for a gallon is now around $4.41.
And that seems to have already fallen below the pain threshold for many Americans: According to surveys by the American Automobile Association AAA, 75 percent of all US citizens do not want to change their driving behavior for more than five dollars a gallon. In addition, many drivers reported that they took long detours with significantly longer distances in search of cheaper gas stations – even to save just a few dollars.
Although no economist wants to take credit for the US government’s falling gasoline prices, Biden tirelessly emphasizes them in press conferences: “In over 35 states, there are over 30,000 gas stations for less than $3.99 a gallon. In some places it’s almost a dollar cheaper than last month “He emphasized again on Friday in his first public online appearance after having tested positive for Covid the day before.
Biden is hoping for rising popularity ratings from falling gas costs – his record-low popularity rating could be in dire need of a boost ahead of the midterms. And while Germans are now worried about ever-scarcer energy, Americans are looking forward to driving their SUVs again as many miles as ever.
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