"I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less."
25 July 2007At least they didn't blame global warmingObviously no one is going to dislodge this guy and his $50 million pants from the Dumbest Farging Lawsuits Ever pantheon, but this could come close:
Three individual gasoline consumers and an Oklahoma City business have filed a lawsuit against oil companies and station owners, claiming the retailers are overcharging customers for hot fuel.
And they don't mean high-octane stuff, either:
The lawsuit centers on the fact that gasoline expands when hot, reducing the energy provided by a set volume. The expansion means more gasoline is needed at higher temperatures to produce the same energy as gasoline at lower temperatures.
One gallon of gasoline at 60 degrees produces the same energy as one gallon and 2.2 ounces at 90 degrees, the lawsuit claims. "The sellers of 'hot' motor fuel are able to pocket these billions of additional dollars in temperature-inflated profits merely because the fuel they are selling is warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and customers are ignorant of the truth," the lawsuit claims. Plaintiffs are evidently ignorant of the fact that almost all the gasoline sold in this state is stored in underground tanks, where the temperature is generally around — wait for it — 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The papers were filed by lawyer Jona Hefner. I wait with gleeful anticipation for the moment when the judge tells her, "If you're that worried about it, buy your goddamn gas in the morning." Posted at 11:12 AM to City Scene , Wastes of OxygenThe underground tanks are not necessarily at 60 F. The fuel there is whatever temp it was as delivered from the tanker truck. Turnover is an issue that many people do not take into consideration. Which is an issue — when? While the fuel is being delivered to the tanks. After that, the laws of physics being what they are, the fuel and the tanks eventually reach temperature equilibrium, and it's a lot closer to 60 than it is to 90. Most of us have already learned not to buy gas right after it's been delivered, not because it's warm, but because pumping it into the tanks has a tendency to loosen up whatever sediment may be at the bottom. Posted by: CGHill at 1:23 PM on 25 July 2007And forget the stupid temperature crap anyway--since when is "overcharging" grounds to sue? Are we supposed to let the buyer decide what the price should be? "Overcharging" is just one of those words that does nothing but reveal the ignorance of those who speak it. What exactly is "just right charging", anyway? Posted by: Adam at 3:44 PM on 25 July 2007I noticed this at the bottom of the article Hmmm, looks like they are digging into the biggest pockets they can find. Posted by: Dwayne "the canoe guy" at 4:11 PM on 25 July 2007I'd chuck the lawsuit out, on the grounds that the fuel is sold by the gallon, not by the amount of energy contained. The density of the fuel is no part of the contract. |