How much did you pay for gas today?

This ancient pre-spike story (circa 2004) explains the differing boutique blends fairly well.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2004/04/what_is_summerblend_gas.html

Established en masse during a different administration, I must note.

 

Refineries have been coverting to "summer blend" for years and years and years. Never has that been responsible for such a large price hike, so early in the year (PS: It ain't summer anywhere yet, so why are they converting?). Ample supply, steady to decreasing demand, domestic production is at an all-time high. It's price gouging.

And yes, damn that Richard Nixon for the EPA. Meddling, over-regulating socialist! 8)

 

Is RaceTrac gas OK, or is it bad for your car?
I get my morning coffee there now, but the cheaper gas price makes me wonder.

 

I call it the knob joint. Because I feel like I'm getting screwed every time I pull in.

 

All gas is horrible these days. The 10% ethanol in it does not burn in a conventional engine, so you get 10% less mileage. Ethanol attracts water, which leads to all kinds of fuel line problems. And the EPA is close to increasing it to 15%, which would be disastrous for older cars. It's stupid to burn our food, anyway.

 

$3.76.

 

Leveling off and inching off the high marks locally, as it should've. Saw some $3.55 after I filled up elsewhere, naturally.

WTI crude's been down six bucks in the last two weeks.

 

Doesn't matter if crude goes to 50 cents a barrel.

Those Wall Street fatcats/speculators are benefiting.

You know, those who somebody promised to stop.

I want to buy a horse but I think it would be stolen before its first meal.

 

Crude prices the lowest in two months.

So, when this purported changeover to summer blends (in February?) and refinery work are finished (ha ha ha) will we see a corresponding, quick drop in prices to match the rapid price rise? Oh how stupid of me.

 

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/38254897/Better+Luck+Next+Time++2.jpg

 

$3.59 on post and just over $3.60 off post.

 

Another month, another record for gas prices in Illinois.

AAA said Monday that has prices in the state started at their highest point ever for March, with drivers paying an average of $3.92 per gallon.

The average price of gas has risen by 59 cents per gallon in Illinois since the beginning of the year, a record acceleration.

Beth Mosher, a spokeswoman for AAA Chicago, said the sharp spike is due to a decline in refinery production and downtimes for maintenance. Refineries often perform maintenance at this time of year as they transition to produce summer gasoline blends.

Those summer blends are to meet higher environmental standards during the year's heavy drive times. They're also more expensive than those blends produced in the winter, so AAA warns that the region won't get relief from increasing prices any time soon.

Prices in Chicago average $4.22 a gallon, up 26 cents from a month ago. That's slightly cheaper in greater Chicago; it reached $3.99 on Monday, up from $3.81 a month earlier.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-illinois-gas-prices-start-march-at-alltime-high-20130304,0,1925147.story#sthash.Br1EIewb.dpuf