Why Are Gas Prices So High?

Why do the gas prices need to be so high?

Why higher gas prices?

Public Comments

1. It's a simple case of supply and demand that moves gas prices.
2. Gas prices change because petrolium is getting harder to find, but that is not the main reason right now. Gas prices were lower earlier because the U.S. opened its emergency supply, so less was bought from other countries. Also, some gasolines, like Shell, enhance their gas to do things like clean engine parts, or in the case of shell, remove engine sludge, which also increases the price of gas.
3. it's really just greed , that's it that's all, but then again how do you pay for the war effort , but that is for oil
4. It's called price gouging and the government is turning a blind eye towards it even though there are many families that are sacrificing food off their table to buy gas to get to work.
5. 1. since gas prices have been going up, the rate of consumption has risen at a record-breaking pace. People are using more gas now than they did when it was 1.50 a gallon. If people are still willing to pay higher prices, gas companies have no reason to bring the price back down. 2. Due to industrialization, India and China's rates of consumption have risen dramatically, and won't slow down. More and more Indians and Chinese can afford cars, and are buying gas. Think about it: Pretend you own a store where you sell books. For years, you sold these books for 1.50 a piece. One day, a bunch of people across town started making money, and they all wanted books, too (India and China). So, simple economics - higher demand = higher price. You start to raise the price of books. Pretty soon, you're charging over 3 dollars per book. You're making twice as much! And not only do you have all these new customers, but your original customers are all still buying books, too - and even more than before the price hike! Would you lower your prices? The answer is no.
6. There are many factors causing the high prices. It's combination of oil company greed, limited supply from oil drilling producing countries with high demand from US and China, lack of displine of consumer's behalf (think big trucks and SUV transporting one driver), lack of refinery (do we want pollution in our backyard?), pro-environmentist movement, geopolitic (lack of political will to do something) and finally American simply consumes, consumes... Oil prices will remain because it's a perfect storm of various above factors. This is however, until oil becomes obsolete technology. When car and boats and planes uses a true and widely adapted alternative fuel (as long as not fossil based), then Oil companies will be forced to change their way. Otherwise they see NO incentive to changes. As matter of fact, Oil companies is not even interested in researching for alternative energy! They don't push to build refineries because it's NOT in their best interest to put more oil on the market to drive prices down. You see, it's rather simple. Unforunately, crude oil is still by far the cheapest way and easiest way to power, heat, and make the world go around. We have to accept the truth but also realize we must at some point move away from from crude oil.
7. Just hold on you haven't seen anything yet!, wait until we start getting the hurricanes and the oil companies start crying about damage to their oil rigs or had to shut them down until the storm passes, hold onto your backside!