Gas Prices Bloating the Nation

The United States consumes 400 million gallons of gas everyday. This huge daily demand is what keeps the gas prices high. Drivers all over the country are adjusting how they travel and how often they travel due to the ever-climbing gas prices. Even when it comes to running daily errands such as grocery shopping or going to the dry cleaners. The price range for gas is $2.81 to over $3 per gallon in some regions and it does not look any better for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend that begins the peak season for traveling.

Organizations for children and senior citizens that transport them to events and functions have had to decrease their planned events and their travel due to the rising prices. People that use their vehicles for work are starting to feel as though they work to put gas in their vehicles.

The early rise in gas prices has been caused by a decline in the production of crude oil for the past three months. The slide in production and inventory is mostly due to the U.S. Oil Refineries having, fires and power outages called "unplanned breakdowns." One of the largest refiners, Valero Energy has had four fires that slowed down production in January and February alone. Valero's McKee refinery in Texas, which is presently closed, will be returning to half of its production by the end of April. BP oil had to move up their maintenance schedule at its Whiting Indiana refinery after a piece of equipment caught fire.

Car manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet and Nissan have been racing to produce subcompacts that are more fuel-efficient. Nissan came out with the Versa last fall and Chrysler will be importing small cars from China.

The price range for gas is $2.81 to over $3 per gallon in some regions and it does not look any better for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend that begins the peak season for traveling.

Credit: www.ethosnw.com

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