Gasoline price hits new high for February in Chicago ($1.76)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-gas08.html

Chicago can't catch a break.

First we get hammered with snow and cold. Now, gasoline prices -- which are supposed to be lower in the winter -- are setting new highs for February in the city, up 14 cents a gallon from this time last winter.

Part of the blame, experts say, goes to a fire last Sunday at the BP Amoco refinery in Whiting, Ind., that knocked out about a fourth of its gasoline refining capacity. That helped push up prices in the six-county area to an average of $1.76 a gallon Friday -- up from $1.69 before the fire, according to the AAA Chicago Motor Club.

But that's not all.

Even before the fire, winter's icy grip had reached into normally warmer southeastern states, increasing demand for fuel oil and prompting refiners to cut back on gasoline production.

And there's more. The unstable situation in the Middle East is causing jitters in international oil markets.

[Democrats unite]

1. compliments of Bushco

[wryter2000]

2. $3/gallon this summer

This is going to kill Bush*. Esp. because of his intimate connection to the oil business. I feel really bad for all the small business people who have to drive a large truck for their businesses. But for the Murikans commuting in their Hummers with the tattered American flags on them...hahahaha. I can't wait to hear the puling and whining.

[RamboLiberal]

3. I'm hoping the oil boys face higher prices this summer

anything to kill them in the eyes of the dumber 'mericans among us.

I thing gasoline will be at the $2 level or above this summer unless the oil boys and the sheiks come to the rescue of their good friends in the WH:

from the quoted story:

Prices are expected to go even higher this summer, when demand traditionally increases and federal requirements for special blends of gasoline put even more stress on refineries.

[MidwestTransplant]

4. You can thank the weak dollar

By the way, it's $2.00 downtown.

[Robbien]

5. Yep, it is nudging $1.90 in the Northern Suburbs

Wonder where I can get some of that cheap $1.76 stuff.

[llmart]

6. It's not just bad in Chicago..

my relatives in Cleveland are paying that much. I, too, will laugh at all the idiots driving their Hummers and SUV's as they pay $50-60 per fill up. Serves them right!

[NickB79]

13. The sad thing is, anyone who can afford a Hummer or SUV

Probably won't care that they have to pay $50/tank. I mean, when you dish out $50 grande for a vehicle, you don't worry about gas prices. The people who are really gonna get screwed (again) are the working poor and lower-middle class. Once again the working class gets the shaft.

[frylock]

7. 1.76 is cheap in socal..

paying 1.89 for regular here in San Diego, 2.08 for the super.

[llmart]

8. Frylock:

This is not to disparage you, but San Diego is Repuglican/wealthy and those people deserve to pay more for supporting the oil cabal in the WH.

[Sandpiper]

17. As a San Diegan

I'd just like to say on behalf of my fellow DU San Diegans...



San Diego is Repuglican/wealthy and those people deserve to pay more for supporting the oil cabal in the WH.

There are about 3 million people in greater San Diego, and most of them aren't wealthy. But all of us should suffer, because there are wealthy Republicans who live here?

Well, let the city/town that has no wealthy Republicans cast the first stone.

[Sandpiper]

16. I second that notion

The cheapest I've found is $1.77 at Arco.

[amber dog democrat]

9. This is why I am

glad I drive a Honda Civic and not a Humvee.
This whole war is about oil anyway, I can not see a stronger motive.

[benburch]

10. I drive a Prius!

And it is looking like a better investment each and every time I fill the tank.

Seriously, folks, look into a Hybrid!

I like my 2002 Prius, but Honda has a couple of models that I'm told are quite nice as well, and Lexus is coming out with a mini-SUV with a Prius drive train in a couple of months.

You owe it to yourself and the planet (these cars are VERY green) to ditch whatever you are driving now and get a Hybrid.

-Ben Burch
White Rose Society Webmaster
http://www.WhiteRoseSociety.org/

[Paulie]

15. A 2004 Prius is on my list by July

My office will probably be consolidated 30 miles north to another office we have, and instead of taking the Metra rail line, I'll be driving. So I already got agreement from the Wife on going for it.

Being able to fill the car once a week will definately help (10 gallon tank, 50+mpg) :D

[0007]

11. Listen after hearing junior today

I'm convinced that gas will hit close to 3 bucks per gallon around early fall.

[adadem]

12. It's the same in

West Michigan...paid 1.79 for plain unleaded yesterday.

[ronatchig]

14. All you folks are missing it

these are not high gas prices they are "Rediculious Republican Gas Prices" and don't forget to spread it around, please .

[RamboLiberal]

18. Exactly - Hey I heard some local wingnut radio hosts last year

just itching to get in to Eye-Raq cause they were sick of paying high gas prices.

Heard one of them moaning last month he didn't get it - wasn't the invasion supposed to get us cheap gas?

[Chicago Democrat]

19. Result of Dollars Free Fall

From printing up all them treasury bills its just like printing money. Causing this "illusory" run up of stock prices, illusory job growth spells a run on the bank folks. We import everything. So everything is going to cost more.

Who does this hurt?

People on fixed income. People who keep money in banks, not stocks. Basically everyone at the bottom especially..

Who does this help?

Beats me.. Perhaps US exporters, rich people with lots of investment in the stock market, stock brokers.


Welcome to Bush's bizzarro world.