The Quad-City Times - News, Sports and more from the Quad Cities region or Iowa and Illinois

You are not logged in.
Login

Log in to qctimes.com
Email:
Password:
Remember my information.
Register
Quadsville
Site Help

Who pays the most and least for gas?

Font Size:

By David Heitz | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:35 PM CDT | () comments

Q: How much does gasoline cost in other countries, compared with the United States?

— Quad-Citian

A: Believe it or not, we don’t have it as bad at the pump as people who live in some other countries. We don’t have it as good, either.

Based on a study released in late March from AIRINC, a research firm that tracks cost-of-living data, the most expensive place in the world to buy gas is Eritrea, a country in northeast Africa. People there pay $9.58 per gallon. The most inexpensive gas was found in Venezuela, where it costs 12 cents per gallon.

The study did not take into account what people earn in various countries, or the different exchange rates. Paying big at the pump isn’t as hard on countries with currencies stronger than the dollar. For example, the dollar has lost considerable ground to the Euro.

Of 155 countries surveyed, U.S. gas prices were the 45th cheapest, at $3.45 at the time of the study. Countries paying the most include Norway, $8.73 per gallon; United Kingdom, $8.38; and Portugal, $7.84. Paying the least were Iran, 40 cents; Saudi Arabia, 45 cents; and Kuwait, 90 cents.

Q: We heard about the tropical cyclone devastating Myanmar, formerly called Burma. At the same time, we have twisters — or tornadoes — in the Midwest. What’s the difference between a cyclone and a twister?

— Deirdre, Eldridge, Iowa

A: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a cyclone is a generic term for a low-pressure system over tropical waters with organized convection (such as thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation. Cyclones sometimes are called hurricanes or typhoons, depending on which part of the world where they occur.

A tornado, also known as a twister, occurs over land instead of water.

Q: I have always used compost from the Davenport compost facility and my neighbor said not to use it anymore because it’s not sterile and will damage your plants. Is this compost safe? She also said the mulch was not good because it has termites in it.

— Betty, Davenport

A: Scott Plett, manager of the compost facility, said it processes recycled, organic residuals using a high-technology composting system. “The combination of processing, time and temperature destroys weed seeds and pathogens (disease causing organisms) while encouraging maximum growth of beneficial organisms. The facility offers several compost products high in nutrients and organic matter which are safe and beneficial to plant growth.”

For more information, go to cityofdavenportiowa.com/compost.

As for the reported termite problem, tree limbs are processed with a large grinder to produce a uniform size, Plett said. “Termites live in colonies deep in the soil and do not survive away from the colony or the combination of processing, time and temperatures. The final product is a safe and natural product free of chemicals and dyes.”

Q: A lot of people like my wife and me did not get to go on the tour of Quarters One on Arsenal Island. Will there be more tours offered? Can you put George Eaton’s virtual tour back up on your Web page?

— Jim, Davenport

A: Arsenal spokeswoman Valerie Buckingham said people who signed up for the Quarters One tours but who did not get to see the home due to the overwhelming response will be accommodated in the future. However, no new tours will be offered to those who did not sign up originally.

To see the virtual tour, go to http://videos.qctimes.com/p/video?id1789696.