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by Melanie_Alnwick from Washington DC

Last Post 11 days, 18 hours Ago


$4 Gas
Apr 21, 2008 | 11:10 AM
Category: News
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It's finally happened.  A gas station owner in Bethesda has broken the four-dollar barrier.   Granted it's for premium unleaded ($4.05 to be exact), but it's still a psychological number that's hard for us to swallow.   

Nationally the price for regular unleaded is still at $3.50.   It's $3.43 in Virginia, $3.47 in Maryland -- though you'd have to go way out to the edges to get those prices.   The average in DC for regular unleaded is $3.57.. and hovers around $3.51 in the suburbs.  Today we're going to be taking a look at the contributing factors to those prices... and why there's so much local variation.    

But have the high prices changed driving habits?  I talked to one young professional today who said she can't afford to fill up her tank for running errands.  How have the prices affected you?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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BigSmooov read my blog
Apr 21, 2008 | 1:14 PM

I think Congress and the White House can do more into cracking down on why they increase (seems like) everyday. Oh wait...look at who we have in the White House. An oil man. Nevermind...get use to it.
reality_check read my blog
Apr 21, 2008 | 5:46 PM

Look, unfortunately, it appears that NOTHING can be done regarding gas prices. Congress and the White House don't seem to really care about how this is effecting Americans. Mainly because those in Congress and the White House are more than likely not paying for their own gas. When was the last time you saw Bush drive up to a gas station and pump some gas into the limo or SUV in which he rides?. The same goes for the Congressmen and Senators that are being driven around. Who's paying for the gas in their tanks?. WE, the American citizens with our taxes.

Didn't Congress have a hearing about a month ago with the big wigs of the top oil companies in the U.S. and asked them why the prices were so high?. And their response?. They blamed it on the price of oil they import. But, these companies make BILLIONS in profits each year. Obviously those "high" prices that they pay for imported oil aren't affecting their profit margin.
retiree1
Apr 21, 2008 | 6:30 PM

This country is in some serious trouble and its all over "greed" from the oil companies and the White House. The more they make the more they want. Someone somewhere needs to take hold of this problem and you know it won't be the White House. The average household cannot afford the prices of gas and groceries. When you have to commute any distance to work you are stuck because you have no choice but to fatten their pockets since not all jobs allow for carpools, etc. The average middle class family/retiree cannot afford to live even comfortably now. The yearly raises don't even put a dent in what everything is costing now. Nothing has really been said about these problems with the candidates either. Of course,they'll tell you anything to get elected and then it's all forgotten. We need some changes and we need them QUICK!
BBB007
Apr 21, 2008 | 9:16 PM

The best Bush could do was say "you majesty can you see what you can do about the price of crude oil?" during his last visit to Saudi. That’s it?! That’s the best he can do for the people of this country that he is supposed to be responsible for?

Lets keep in mind that the Bush family and friends are profiting with their interest in the oil industry that also extends to the middle east and has so for a number of years!

Oh yea...I am sure that is just a coincidence and just another left wing conspiracy!
AveMaria22 read my blog
Apr 21, 2008 | 11:41 PM

Did anyone hear Larry King's interview with Hillary Clinton tonight? She addressed the price of gasoline at the pumps and said that she is NOT satisfied that "oil prices" are the reason for the high prices...she said it smacks of oil profiteering and says there MUST be an investigation with prosecutions. I am retired with a working husband and a kid in college. I have an "almost" antique Mercedes 560SL which uses Premium gasoline. In order to cut back on consumption, I seldom drive her, and opt for my 4-cylinder van. I combine errands into one trip while carrying my pre-thought out list to make sure I don't forget anything. I purchase more groceries at each trip...again, using a list...in order to do everything in one trip.. on one day so that I don't have to use my auto any more than I absolutely have to do so.
firehunter24 read my blog
Apr 22, 2008 | 7:49 AM

The gas prices are the major factor hurting our economy. I spend a lot less at my local stores because of the fuel prices. I have to save my money for the gas station.
The U.S.A. should be getting oil from Irag for re-imbursement of War expenses.
MD_Crab
Apr 22, 2008 | 8:49 AM

Gas prices are going to continue to rise, unless our spneless politicians stand up to the tree huggers.

We need to drill for more domestic oil and build new refineries.
New oil fields have been found in the recent past that have plenty of oil.

Break up the Exxon-Mobil and Amoco/BP conglomerates to instill more competion.
MCGRUNT read my blog view my photos
Apr 22, 2008 | 10:15 AM

Gas prices took it's toll on me and the family last year. Limited errands, no beach trip, let the grass grow extra long, ect. It's true we can all do our best to cut back on consumption but in the long run they do have us by the short hairs.
Soytinly read my blog
Apr 22, 2008 | 11:04 AM

Until now it probably wasn't profitable to push for recoverable oil in Antarctica but now that prices are where they are maybe that will stoke the "powers that be" to look a little closer at and Antarctica and new technology to get at Bakken's oil.

I drive from Maryland to Arlington to work (80 miles round trip) I am willing to pay a premium if in the long run we get rid of our dependency on middle east oil. Thanks to Jimmy Kada!

Just imagine the US enjoying their own oil reserves and letting the Middle East Countries fight their own battles! A paradise where the right raises the prices and the left taxes it!

I do suspect oil prices should drop if that day ever arrives...Oh happy days!
Soytinly read my blog
Apr 22, 2008 | 11:16 AM

Cutting back on consumption is the lame azz excuse they use to raise the price of crude.
We cut back to maintain a normal living standard and they jack it up more to maintain their levels of profit.

Our leaders need "to do the right thing" and quit being OWNED by the energy lobbyist. I am not trying to be a Bush Basher but the current prices are on him! He and his family, friends are profiting big time on this surge and he needs to step up and show some real character and not let greed be his motivation.

We are supposed to be the most powerful country in the world and the best our leader can do is make a suggestion to Saudi to lower the prices??!!
AveMaria22 read my blog
Apr 22, 2008 | 2:23 PM

I am STILL asking why new homes are not being built with MANDATORY solar energy with hardwired electrical power or gas only as backup. In the southwest, homes should be solely solar energy. If we are in such straits that the cost of gasoline is THIS high, WHY aren't we fighting like he%$ to cut our usage of foreign oil in EVERY WAY POSSIBLE? Soytinly is absolutely correct..if we do cut usage, the price will go to $50 a gallon at the pumps...the profiteers are going to make a screaming profit no matter WHAT we do. I propose that SOMEONE on a local TV channel..someone with a high profile..call for a three day PARK IT strike on gasoline. Everyone STAY HOME for a chosen three days..no one go to a gas station. It would be interesting to see what would happen.
GG1331
Apr 22, 2008 | 4:34 PM

In the past, I would just run errands and sometimes run home and drop items off, etc. Now, when I have multiple errands, I write down where I need to go so I can map out the best route. I also try to go after rush hour traffic in the morning and not during lunch hour breaks. Traffic is somewhat lighter. I also make a decision, can I get the errand done someplace closer, instead of using my favorite spot that may be a mile or two farther away. I also try not to let the tank get below a half tank. I travel alot by car for pleasure so instead of traveling during mid day on the weekends we travel after 9:00 pm when there is less traffic as well. But first and foremost I ask myself is the trip necessary or can it be done at a later time. My older children and I also coordinate errands as well. If they are coming my way and I need one or two items at the grocery store I get them to pick it up instead of me going out. This works vice versa as well. We often use to drive to cars and we were all going to the same place and now we carpool, for example church, movies, out to dinner only because we might be going in different directions afterwards. And the last item, if we can take Metro downtown (DC) we do that instead of driving down. GG
retiree1
Apr 22, 2008 | 4:37 PM

I am very surprised that we haven't heard more from the truckers on the diesel prices. I thought they were going to get involved when they were on the NJ turnpike not long ago but seems that died.They helped us last time when greed rose up at the pumps and this time it is even worse. Our only solution is to try to help ourself - maybe we should all stay home for three days and stay away from the pumps and see what happens. It seems to be worth a try because nothing else is helping.
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Melanie_Alnwick

I'm Melanie Alnwick. I've been with Fox-5 since 1999, and I've worked just about every shift in the building! You may have seen me reporting for Fox-5 News at 10, filling in on the anchor desk morning, noon, night or weekends, and bringing you Investigative reports. Currently I anchor "Fox Morning News Sunday" and bring you our Money reports. I'm looking forward to sharing thoughts & ideas with you -- about our news, our newsroom... and our busy lives. See you on Sundays -- 8 to 9 am!

Member Since: 10/26/2006


 

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