Would a boycott of California gas stations help lower prices? Roadshow
Plus, a reader says an uptick in traffic is causing dangerous entry to Highway 85 from Highway 17.
Q: Professor Severin Borenstein (Cal) has worked out what the true added costs are for California gasoline: Taxes and regulations cost us $.83 extra per gallon.
The only reason gas prices go up and stay up is that we consumers will pay those prices. So we need to determine what the average price per gallon is outside of California (let’s say $5 per gallon). Then add 83 cents, for a price of $5.83 a gallon.
Then we determine what the largest chain is (Chevron?). All drivers agree to boycott Chevron stations until they drop their price to $5.83. Then we go on to another major chain (Mobil?) and repeat the process.
John Cormode, Mountain View
A: A creative idea. Professor Borenstein, an expert on the oil and gas industries, among others, knows what he’s talking about. He is also an expert on the economics of renewable energy and economic policies for reducing greenhouse gases.
Q: I am a retired surgeon and drive northbound from Los Gatos every Wednesday at about 7:20 a.m. on Highway 17 to Highway 85 to walk with a group of retired physicians at the Stanford Dish.
With the resolution of COVID-19 and the corresponding increase in traffic, the journey has become noticeably longer and more dangerous. Because of the metering light backup at the entrance to Highway 85, traffic coming off northbound Highway 17 stops shortly after it exits 17. Traveling at 5 mph, one eventually has to cross the ramp to merge into Highway 85 traffic that is traveling at about 50 mph.
At this hour, commuters are in a hurry and do not accommodate those of us trying to get onto Highway 85. I could have been hit several times one recent morning by vehicles traveling 50 mph. This is an inherently unsafe situation.
I understand the reason for metering lights, but the backup at this time of day is probably several hundred cars on the Highway 17 side. If this is not addressed, it is a question of time before a life-ending accident occurs. Currently, the metering lights are set at 10 to 11 seconds. Could the metering light interval be shortened?
Hugh Walsh, Los Gatos
A: Caltrans will review this area, but it is possible that shorter metering light cycles could make matters worse.
Q: Now that Highways 87 and 85 are getting cleaned up, the light rail tracks stand out with weeds the size of trees. They’re a mess.
Paul Smith
A: The weeds have been trimmed. There’s even better news. VTA has added dozens of maintenance workers to cope with problems like this.
Guess the price of gas, get a fill-up on Mr. Roadshow
Predict the average statewide price of gas on Nov. 15 and you can win a free fill-up for your car, courtesy of Mr. Roadshow. The deadline is Nov. 1. Send your entry with “Gas contest” in the subject line to mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.