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ECNS 594 Montana Council on Economic Education June 20, 2013. Gas prices, Broccoli and Doughnuts. Our lesson today…. Energy industry in Montana Energy security = energy independence? Gas prices Broccoli and doughnuts. Why only 2 percent?. Teens and the price of a gallon of gas.
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ECNS 594 Montana Council on Economic Education June 20, 2013 Gas prices, Broccoli and Doughnuts
Our lesson today…. Energy industry in Montana Energy security = energy independence? Gas prices Broccoli and doughnuts
Teens and the price of a gallon of gas How many drive to school? How many drive as a pastime? How many care about fuel efficiency? How many ride the bus or ride a bike? How many drive in a fuel conserving manner? How many could tell you the price of a gallon of gas?
Wheels & Women…a teachable moment? • How are oil prices determined? • Drill baby drill? • Price asymmetry? • SUV sales?
Oil prices? What, me worry? Consumers Taxpayers Producers Society
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells NAICS 21311 2009 Employment = 333 Number of firms = 49
Support Activities for Oil and Gas NAICS 213112 2009 Employment = 1,256 Number of firms = 159
Petroleum Refining NAICS 32411 2009 Employment = 1,069 Number of firms = 5
Coal Mining NAICS 2121 2009 Employment = 946 Number of firms = 7
Colstrip Steam Electrical Station 2009 Employment = 578 Number of firms = 1
The marginal barrel of oil sold • Does not matter where or by whom • There is no use thinking nationalistically
Refiner Acquisition Cost of Crude OilPADD Region 4(dollars per barrel)
Retail gas purchases determined by… • Supply arrangements and ownership structure • Oil company owned and operated (<2%) • Refining company owned and operated (<3%) • Branded independent (45%) • Unbranded independent (51%) • Competition for consumers • Traffic patterns (one third will go out of their way to save just 3 cents per gallon)
Other regional influences… • Taxes • Location to refineries (jobbers buy at rack) • Fuel blend requirements • Rent (usually not downtown) • Replacement cost pricing (average retailers take several deliveries per week) • Brand (market support, discounts, “market inversion”
The world consumes 80 million barrels of oil per day……. • World events determine world prices which determine local prices • Political unrest • Growth in Asia • OPEC • Hurricanes • Refineries (conversion to ethanol additive)
Consumer behavior • Nominal v. real prices • Gas complementary good to autos • Price elasticity of demand
Small Car Market Price/Unit D0 D2 D1 Quantity/Time
Large Car Market Price/Unit D1 D0 D2 Quantity/Time
Do high gas prices sell small cars?Sales = βo + β1 (Fuel Price) + ε