In one of those unintended consequences of life, the sudden drop in oil prices beginning late last year has united two forces who in other circumstances are mortal enemies.
One is Big Oil, that all encompassing description for the myriad of energy companies doing business around the world. The other is the coalition of groups and individuals consumed with climate change and the need, they say, for people to save the world from their own actions.
The common target of each group is the lowly consumer, the person who suffered through the times of prices in the $1.40 and higher range a litre and who is now paying less than $1 a litre.
Both Big Oil and the climate change coalition seem to think the consumer should feel guilty because of the lower prices.
In the world of Big Oil, lower energy prices mean reduced profits and cuts to budgets. Somehow, they believe, you should be happy to pay higher prices as your patriotic duty to support the economy.
The climate change people want the consumer to feel guilty because, by paying less at the pump, that somehow translates into more environmental damage.
As sure as the spring rains will visit Terrace, the price of oil will rise. And all will be well within the world of Big Oil and the climate change crowd. In the meantime, back off and let the consumer enjoy these lower prices.
