2011 Gas prices! What are you paying?

[VeganCupcake]

I paid $3.01 on Friday, I live in West Palm Beach. But thankfully - the grocery store & the gym are across the street, the zoo is within a mile, the library & playgrounds & free "waterpark" are all within a 1/4 of a mile, all 3 sets of our parents are very close- MIL&FIL - Mom&SD are all less than a mile(which can be good & bad) my DAD & SM are only about 5 miles away, I only really have to fill up every 3 weeks or so.....unless I'm going to Disney but then it only takes a tank to get there & back. **I have a Mazda 3

 

[RadioFanatic]

In upstate NY, $3.26 for regular.

 

[rie'smom]

From what I'm reading, demand is up and expected to rise world wide in countries with developing economies-China, India, Brazil. It takes oil to to fuel these economies. Even though I hate to see prices get too high, it will help our local economy. We were devastated by Katrina and Gustav. When we began recovering from these, the oil spill happened and the moratorium was declared.

A couple of years ago, the prices rose because of manipulation of the market. This time it is supply and demand, along with OPEC. This isn't just domestic but worldwide.

Check you state, federal, and local taxes on a gallon of gasoline. The Federal tax is 18.4 cents/gallon then add your own tax to that.
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

Compare these prices:

1 gallon of gas = $3.37

Quart of Milk 16 oz for $1.59 = $6.32 per gallon (gallons can be found for cheaper – $4ish a gallon)

Gatorade 20 oz for $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon

Snapple 16 oz for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon

Water 9 oz for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon

Starbucks 8 ounce coconut almond mocha for $4.43 = $70.88 per gallon

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

$3.07 here in the Minneapolis area. They keep telling us that gas prices are going up because of the "winter blend" they use Greed would be another definition of the "winter blend" too.

Yeah, "winter blend" my foot! Our gasoline is now 10% ethanol and I have read that gas companies are planning on increasing that by 10-15%. It not only makes production of the gas cheaper, but decreases gas mileage so it's a win-win situations for gas company profits!
Actually, gas prices were one of the considerations when I decided to retire from my job in December. That 60-mile round trip was getting really expensive again!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

From what I'm reading, demand is up and expected to rise world wide in countries with developing economies-China, India, Brazil. It takes oil to to fuel these economies. Even though I hate to see prices get too high, it will help our local economy. We were devastated by Katrina and Gustav. When we began recovering from these, the oil spill happened and the moratorium was declared.

A couple of years ago, the prices rose because of manipulation of the market. This time it is supply and demand, along with OPEC. This isn't just domestic but worldwide.

Check you state, federal, and local taxes on a gallon of gasoline. The Federal tax is 18.4 cents/gallon then add your own tax to that.
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

Compare these prices:

1 gallon of gas = $3.37

Quart of Milk 16 oz for $1.59 = $6.32 per gallon (gallons can be found for cheaper – $4ish a gallon)

Gatorade 20 oz for $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon

Snapple 16 oz for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon

Water 9 oz for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon

Starbucks 8 ounce coconut almond mocha for $4.43 = $70.88 per gallon

Yes, but no one needs Starbucks, Snapple, Gatorade, or bottled water to survive economically. Most working people need transportation to work, so this comparison isn't really valid.

 

[golfgal]

From what I'm reading, demand is up and expected to rise world wide in countries with developing economies-China, India, Brazil. It takes oil to to fuel these economies. Even though I hate to see prices get too high, it will help our local economy. We were devastated by Katrina and Gustav. When we began recovering from these, the oil spill happened and the moratorium was declared.

A couple of years ago, the prices rose because of manipulation of the market. This time it is supply and demand, along with OPEC. This isn't just domestic but worldwide.

Check you state, federal, and local taxes on a gallon of gasoline. The Federal tax is 18.4 cents/gallon then add your own tax to that.
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

Compare these prices:

1 gallon of gas = $3.37

Quart of Milk 16 oz for $1.59 = $6.32 per gallon (gallons can be found for cheaper – $4ish a gallon)

Gatorade 20 oz for $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon

Snapple 16 oz for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon

Water 9 oz for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon

Starbucks 8 ounce coconut almond mocha for $4.43 = $70.88 per gallon

These are just silly comparisons. You don't NEED to by Starbucks but it is 12 degrees here now, we NEED our natural gas to heat our home. It isn't just auto fuel prices that are climbing but home heating prices as well-oil, natural gas, propane. Sure, we could convert to electric but that costs money too-it would DOUBLE our heating costs here. We could burn wood, but again, not efficient or environmentally friendly on many fronts. The supply of oil from off shore drilling is a drop in the bucket for the world supply-it should have ZERO effect on gas prices.

 

[rie'smom]

Yeah, "winter blend" my foot! Our gasoline is now 10% ethanol and I have read that gas companies are planning on increasing that by 10-15%. It not only makes production of the gas cheaper, but decreases gas mileage so it's a win-win situations for gas company profits!
Actually, gas prices were one of the considerations when I decided to retire from my job in December. That 60-mile round trip was getting really expensive again!

As of September, ethanol prices were up 23%.

Yes, but no one needs Starbucks, Snapple, Gatorade, or bottled water to survive economically. Most working people need transportation to work, so this comparison isn't really valid.

Not saying those things are needed for survival. I was just showing a comparison of prices.

 

[BellvilleDad]

$3.09 for regular here near Savannah, GA.

Greed on the part of the oil companies is the answer to "why". Even when crude prices drop, gas prices continue to rise.

I've read a few articles on how these climbing prices are hurting our chances for an economic recovery, but the oil companies are, of course, only interested in growing their bottom line. It seems to me that since their product is so vital to the national economy, their "assault" on our economy by raising prices out of reach might be considered a clear and present danger to US interests.

Ok, that might be a little melodramatic, but it's obviously going to hurt any chances of an economic recovery when people's extra cash is going into the gas tank.

 

[rie'smom]

These are just silly comparisons. You don't NEED to by Starbucks but it is 12 degrees here now, we NEED our natural gas to heat our home. It isn't just auto fuel prices that are climbing but home heating prices as well-oil, natural gas, propane. Sure, we could convert to electric but that costs money too-it would DOUBLE our heating costs here. We could burn wood, but again, not efficient or environmentally friendly on many fronts. The supply of oil from off shore drilling is a drop in the bucket for the world supply-it should have ZERO effect on gas prices.

Look, it was a comparison that's it.

You have a choice. If you don't like the price of gas, burn wood. I understand environmental concerns however, you can't have it both ways.

 

[eliza61]

first disclosure: My dh is a evil, greedy oil company executive.

Excuse me, but oil companies are 'for profit", "free market" enterprises. Which according to everyone here is "The American way". They are doing what they are supposed to do, make profit for their stockholders. No one said they had to sell you gas at a price you deem acceptable?

When gas was 4 bucks a gallon everyone was screaming "alternative energy" "we no longer want to be held hostage" by foreign oil. Have one done 1 thing toward that? Nope, in fact china is leading the way in alternative energy while we sink back into our gas guzzling Ford f-150 buying ways.

Sorry, but we are a bunch of hypocrites. Now we want the feds to step in and regulate the industry?

Don't like the price of gas, find ways to use less of it.

Cost is directly linked to "supply and demand". Don't get mad because you feel you should get it cheap.

 

[happygirl]

first disclosure: My dh is a evil, greedy oil company executive.

Excuse me, but oil companies are 'for profit", "free market" enterprises. Which according to everyone here is "The American way". They are doing what they are supposed to do, make profit for their stockholders. No one said they had to sell you gas at a price you deem acceptable?

When gas was 4 bucks a gallon everyone was screaming "alternative energy" "we no longer want to be held hostage" by foreign oil. Have one done 1 thing toward that? Nope, in fact china is leading the way in alternative energy while we sink back into our gas guzzling Ford f-150 buying ways.

Sorry, but we are a bunch of hypocrites. Now we want the feds to step in and regulate the industry?

Don't like the price of gas, find ways to use less of it.

Cost is directly linked to "supply and demand". Don't get mad because you feel you should get it cheap.

 

[bookgirl]

Mixed Ethenol gas is running around 2.85 and non-mixed gas is around 2.93. That's up about .10 from 3 weeks ago.

 

[Disnydad]

Paid $1.849 yesterday! Course that was after my $1.30 Price Chopper discount.

 

[Trish Bessette]

$3.19 a gallon here.

So far in the 12 days of this New Year I've gotton notice of the following increases:

Electric 5%
Directv increases in February
Auto Insurance increase of 9%
Trash pick up added a "fuel increase" of $3
GAS & HOME FUEL

not to mention groceries!

Wonder what's next

 

[rie'smom]

first disclosure: My dh is a evil, greedy oil company executive.

Excuse me, but oil companies are 'for profit", "free market" enterprises. Which according to everyone here is "The American way". They are doing what they are supposed to do, make profit for their stockholders. No one said they had to sell you gas at a price you deem acceptable?

When gas was 4 bucks a gallon everyone was screaming "alternative energy" "we no longer want to be held hostage" by foreign oil. Have one done 1 thing toward that? Nope, in fact china is leading the way in alternative energy while we sink back into our gas guzzling Ford f-150 buying ways.

Sorry, but we are a bunch of hypocrites. Now we want the feds to step in and regulate the industry?

Don't like the price of gas, find ways to use less of it.

Cost is directly linked to "supply and demand". Don't get mad because you feel you should get it cheap.

You're right. When Disney raises prices or starts serving crappy food, it's ok according to many here because Disney is a business and has to make a profit. So apparently, Disney is the only company allowed to do that.

Some ways to save on gas:
burn wood
take advantage of public transportation
carpool
ride a bike
get a scooter
walk
make a list and go shopping once instead of multiple times and use coupons-they will offset the fuel you use to get to the store
shop at one store instead of running all over town
turn down the heat in winter and then turn up the ac in warmer weather
find out is your gas station gives you a break for paying with cash instead of credit
Check the filters on your car and on your home's heating/cooling
get your tires aligned, a tune up, check your tires and make sure they're inflated properly
make sure your gas cap is crewed on properly
slow down -for every 5 mph you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 7%

Not all of these are applicable to everyone but most can take advantage of a few.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Williamsburg, VA here, and I paid 2.95 last fill up; but the station we use is between 2.91 and 2.95 lately.

 

[brerrabbit]

Part of the reason for the increase is that there is a leak in the Alaskan Oil Pipeline. The North Slope fields are down to producing only 5% of capacity while they repair the line. Fortunately the leak was at a pump station and all the leakage was contained at the station on the sump area so no effect to the environment.

As far as an earlier poster metioning that we may go to 15% ethanol blends, that is true but it is not because Oil Companies want it. If you check you will find the EPA passed that regulation allowing 15% ethanol blends just prior to the November elections. I work for a Big Oil Company and I can assure you we do not like it. When you scream about gas prices remember this when we had to convert to E-10 it cost millions of dollars to build and install the infrastructure needed to blend the ethanol. Also ethanol cannot be transported via pipeline as it is to corrosive. It has to be shipped by rail and in some instances by barge. One large terminal I handle had to spend around $10 million to upgrade for ethanol. Now consider there are over 1,000 terminals across the country. That is a lot of money we were required to spend due to federal regulations, not because big oil wanted to make more money. Add on top of that all the new regulations and incentives as well as penalties that have force new infrastructure for bio diesel. That is costing millions and millions of dollars.

Also the EPA rule allowing for 15% ethanol was a crazy rule saying you can use it in 2007 and newer vehicles. If a 2006 or older vehicle uses 15% ethanol blend then the station and brand can be held accountable. So if this goes forward it could actually force stations to add additional ground tanks to make the various blends. This means more product in the ground higher inventory carrying costs, more chances for environmental mishaps, and oh yeah, the ethanol producers association of America says they can't support a market at 15% ethanol which means one of two things. More subsidies to farmers (Con Agra, and Cargill) or we are forced to start importing from South America which means a very high tariff rate because the Federal Government charges a lot for ethanol imports to "protect" American farmers.

So understand when it comes to gas prices a lot of the cost is courtesy of your Federal Government.

 

[BellvilleDad]

first disclosure: My dh is a evil, greedy oil company executive.

Ok.

Excuse me, but oil companies are 'for profit", "free market" enterprises. Which according to everyone here is "The American way". They are doing what they are supposed to do, make profit for their stockholders. No one said they had to sell you gas at a price you deem acceptable?

And, as I said, they are, OF COURSE, only interested in their bottom line.

When gas was 4 bucks a gallon everyone was screaming "alternative energy" "we no longer want to be held hostage" by foreign oil. Have one done 1 thing toward that? Nope, in fact china is leading the way in alternative energy while we sink back into our gas guzzling Ford f-150 buying ways.

From everything I've read, China is the country who has the greatest increase in demand for oil and gas. And perhaps we should spend an additional $10,000 or more for a "hybrid" car. That'll save some gas.

Sorry, but we are a bunch of hypocrites. Now we want the feds to step in and regulate the industry?

Nice of you to say "we".

Don't like the price of gas, find ways to use less of it.

I'd love to. Maybe my job will move closer to me. Or, hey, I can buy a new house closer to work. That's a cheap way to use less gas.

Cost is directly linked to "supply and demand". Don't get mad because you feel you should get it cheap.

Nobody said we should get it cheap. I don't think reasonable is asking too much, though. few of us can go out and buy a new car that gets better gas mileage, or relocate, because the evil, greedy oil execs want to pad their bottom line, While knowing there's very little we can do about it.

 

[Bonnie151]

I'm currently paying £1.32 per litre which is equivalent to $8 per gallon.

 

[eliza61]

Ok.

And, as I said, they are, OF COURSE, only interested in their bottom line.

From everything I've read, China is the country who has the greatest increase in demand for oil and gas. And perhaps we should spend an additional $10,000 or more for a "hybrid" car. That'll save some gas.

Nice of you to say "we".

I'd love to. Maybe my job will move closer to me. Or, hey, I can buy a new house closer to work. That's a cheap way to use less gas.

Nobody said we should get it cheap. I don't think reasonable is asking too much, though. few of us can go out and buy a new car that gets better gas mileage, or relocate, because the evil, greedy oil execs want to pad their bottom line, While knowing there's very little we can do about it.

As our European counter parts have shown us, gas here in the states is very reasonable. you simply don't like the price.

And yes, I definitely include myself in the "we" department. I grouse as much as anybody else about rising prices but I also turn around and take a look at the "man in the mirror".

China and India are both emerging as major consumers of oil but unlike the states, both these countries are at least looking "long term" and realizing that they must find alternatives because whether we like it or not 1) oil is a non renewable fuel and 2) We consume waaaay more than we produce. In 2009 we produced ~ 2 million barrels of crude a day but we imported almost 10 million barrels a day
India has recently just finished building one of the largest refininers in the world to meet it's demand (well when I say just I mean a couple of years ago) and to supply our greedy demand. Do you have any idea how hard it is for a new refinery to open here in the states, even though they are some of the best paying jobs around and it would be cheaper than importing it?


Sorry Bellvile the "greedy" oil execs are not to blame for this stupidity. simply do the math. Some one has a commodity and I need 10X's the amount that I produce myself. guess what, that is not a recipe for energy independance.

And as "rie's mom just pointed out, there is quite a bit we can do to lower our fuel consumption. Things that have been out there for quite a while, we chose not to do them. Didn't gas consumption drop when it went to $4 bucks a gallon. I believe I heard it did (I won't bet my paycheck on it though) so when forced to we can become careful consumers.

I have no problem with a company being interested in their bottom line. Personally as a person invested in company stocks, I'd be a little concerned if a company that I was invested in was not concerned about the "bottom line". Once again the price is set to what the market can bare.