Was discussing the recent rise in gas prices with a fellow friend and geo major, and his hypothesis made me think about what is going on.

The likely cause for the rise in price this time isn't directly tied to the price in oil, as one may assume. The rise is more to do with the growing implementation of alcohol in gasoline, which is a slightly more expensive process and thus the resultant rise in price.

So the increase has more to do with the quest for less consumption instead of simple supply and demand.

Maybe the Brazillians can help us out:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005..._may_expa.html

Originally Posted by Earl and Mooch

The range this morning was $2.699-$2.759. I expect that by the time I'm going home, the stations at $2.699 will have raised their prices.

And they did, to $2.729. The range right around here is now $2.729-$2.769. Interestingly, in the next town over, prices are a few cents higher, but are the same as they were a few days ago.

Gas actually dropped over the past day or two. It's now selling at around 2.89. Go figure. :?

Prices on Massachusetts Avenue, People's Republic of Cambridge, MA:

Sunday: $2.69
Monday: $2.69
Tuesday morning: $2.73
Tuesday afternoon: $2.78
Wednesday morning: $2.83
Wednesday evening: $2.87

I fear to go look this morning... it'll probably be above $2.90 now...

I saw a news article on Tuesday morning saying "Expert predicts $2.85 gas by summer." I laughed, because I knew it would be $2.85 within two weeks. Little did I know it would be two days... :shock:

Unless Schumer can stop price gouging, I now expect $3.50 by summer.

Oh, it's $2.86 now on the average in Austin.

Premium for $2.999... that outstrips the previous post-Katrina high of $2.969. I think it's safe to expect we'll see $4.00 per gallon gasoline by Labor Day... and if it's a bad hurricane season, $5.00 is not out of the question.

Yesterday premium was already $3.099 here, in Nashville. And with today's news story about oil hitting $75 a barrel, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find regular up to or over $3 a gallon when I go back to work.

Originally Posted by catfishncod

Prices on Massachusetts Avenue, People's Republic of Cambridge, MA:

Sunday: $2.69
Monday: $2.69
Tuesday morning: $2.73
Tuesday afternoon: $2.78
Wednesday morning: $2.83
Wednesday evening: $2.87

I fear to go look this morning... it'll probably be above $2.90 now...

I saw a news article on Tuesday morning saying "Expert predicts $2.85 gas by summer." I laughed, because I knew it would be $2.85 within two weeks. Little did I know it would be two days... :shock:

Unless Schumer can stop price gouging, I now expect $3.50 by summer.

I'm not so certain it's gouging this time around. If we are at or approaching peak oil, there's less of it to pump out of the ground, at a time when total world demand is increasing... all of which adds up to higher prices. However, Corporate America, and the fuel industry in particular, doesn't exactly have a good track record on being upfront with the public on economic matters. So when gas goes to $10 per gallon (perhaps within the next two years), and the corporates try to "reason" with people and explain that it "isn't their fault", no one is going to believe them.

I expect gas to be at least $4 by the end of the summer. If we have another Katrina-type incident in the Gulf of Mexico, and/or a confrontation with Iran begins, we could see $5 or even $6 per gallon.

Gas has passed $3.00 a gallon at some stations in Northern Virginia and is at $2.99 or so in the "cheaper" stations.

I have heard on NPR that one reason why gas prices have spiked recently is that refiners are doing spring maintenance in preparation for the peak summer months, so we have less refining capability right now. This is a temporary situtation.

However, I've also noticed that crude prices have been over $70 a gallon for a while, which points to a longer lasting problem.

Regular unleaded gas here was $3.03/gallon on Thursday, $3.05/gallon yesterday, and $3.10/gallon today. I didn't really need gas but I filled my tank this morning because I'm afraid it will be even higher next week.

Originally Posted by Ocicat

Regular unleaded gas here was $3.03/gallon on Thursday, $3.05/gallon yesterday, and $3.10/gallon today. I didn't really need gas but I filled my tank this morning because I'm afraid it will be even higher next week.

Where do you live (or at least, where do you tank up?)

Originally Posted by The Wonkette

Originally Posted by Ocicat

Regular unleaded gas here was $3.03/gallon on Thursday, $3.05/gallon yesterday, and $3.10/gallon today. I didn't really need gas but I filled my tank this morning because I'm afraid it will be even higher next week.

Where do you live (or at least, where do you tank up?)

In Santa Barbara. California is of course an expensive place to buy gas, but Santa Barbara is actually relatively cheap by California standards (gas-wise, not anyway-else-wise!). I have friends in northern California who told me they paid close to $3.50/gallon this past week.

Self-serve, 87-Octane in Silicon Valley is now around $3.03 on average. It's $3.09 at my corner station.

Things are moving quickly around here! After just a few days my corner station popped up to $3.14. And I'd say the average in this area now is like $3.08.

Well, it's still $3.10/gallon at my gas station here in Santa Barbara -- same as Saturday morning. But if you want someone to pump your gas for you, which seems kinda kooky to me unless you just physically can't, you get to pay well over $4/gallon.

A friend sent me this link earlier today, which maps out gas prices by county nationwide:

http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx.

$2.89 and holding in the People's Republic...

Originally Posted by Echo Nomad

Originally Posted by herbal tee

Maybe the Brazillians can help us out:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005..._may_expa.html

Yeah, I saw that piece about how Brazil is basically energy independant on a CNN special. That proves that a lot or problems are solvable - i.e. Mideast tension, rising oil prices, polutions, oil shortage.

Why would they want to?

Originally Posted by Prisoner 81591518

Originally Posted by Echo Nomad

Originally Posted by herbal tee

Maybe the Brazillians can help us out:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005..._may_expa.html

Yeah, I saw that piece about how Brazil is basically energy independant on a CNN special. That proves that a lot or problems are solvable - i.e. Mideast tension, rising oil prices, polutions, oil shortage.

Why would they want to?

Because they're scared to death. I just watched BushBaby announce, live on CNN, that he was going to ask for $2 billion/yr in tax breaks for energy companies to be cut. Ok, it's still somewhat fake: the subsidies are cut over ten years -- ten years! -- but the principle has been broken. Corporate tax cuts are no longer off the table, even for BushCo. On the flip side, he giveth right back what he taketh away with increased tax breaks for hybrids and "clean" diesel.

Also: he called for corporations to re-invest in renewable technologies and domestic drilling as part of economic and national security. Ladies and gentlemen, he's six years too late, but someone has finally whispered something 4T into the President's ear. More 4Tishness: we have overly complex sets of fuel rules! Standardize the fuel blends! We can no longer tolerate 'boutique fuels'!... More refineries! New infrastructure! Of course, he's tying this to deregulation of refineries... less paperwork, less regulation, but will that mean less accountability?

Bush the oilman boosting flex-fuel.... even while repeating ADM talking points...

He also has to tell us that he understands that ANWR won't help immediately. Here's our president, who has to tell us each and every piece of feedback he's received... because he gets so little, and we know it.

On the other hand, Bush is telling us that good times are here, or just around the corner.... just like Herbert Hoover. :?

Nonetheless: history happening before our eyes. :shock:

Originally Posted by catfishncod

Because they're scared to death.

I know that Bushco's scared shitless over the way matters are currently developing (as well they should be!), but why would Brazil be 'scared to death' over the possible downfall of the Gringos? :? :?:

Originally Posted by catfishncod

$2.89 and holding in the People's Republic...

Gosh, that sounds like a Socialist Paradise. Here in the Old Dominion, even the cheap gas station is now selling at $3.04. :wink:

Originally Posted by Prisoner 81591518

Originally Posted by catfishncod

Because they're scared to death.

I know that Bushco's scared shitless over the way matters are currently developing (as well they should be!), but why would Brazil be 'scared to death' over the possible downfall of the Gringos? :? :?:

Hugo Chavez.

Originally Posted by The Wonkette

Originally Posted by catfishncod

$2.89 and holding in the People's Republic...

Gosh, that sounds like a Socialist Paradise. Here in the Old Dominion, even the cheap gas station is now selling at $3.04. :wink:

We're now down to a range of $2.92 - $2.97, depending on the station.

OK, as long as we are on this topic, can someone please explain to me why:
1) gas goes up or down day to day
2) gas differs by a dime in neighboring cities (I drive to the next city to save money!)?

Originally Posted by Tom Mazanec

OK, as long as we are on this topic, can someone please explain to me why:
1) gas goes up or down day to day
2) gas differs by a dime in neighboring cities (I drive to the next city to save money!)?

I am no expert, but I'll hazard a guess.

1) Gas stations buy gas from their distributer each day. The price that the distributer charges changes daily, so the gas station thus adjusts his price.

2) Gas is cheaper in locations where the rent that the gas station owner must pay for his station is cheaper.

Any comments from people who know more than me?