Breaking News
The School Newspaper of Placer High School

Hillmen Messenger

The School Newspaper of Placer High School

Hillmen Messenger

The School Newspaper of Placer High School

Hillmen Messenger

Cost of gas soars beyond the norm

The price of gas lately has taken a turn for the worse, and has been creating problems for many families throughout America.

As of Monday the 14th, the national price of a gallon of gas was $3.55. The price of gas has increased 43 cents per gallon the past month and 82 cents per gallon the past year. Analysts predict that by Memorial Day, gas prices could get to $4 a gallon nationally.

In California, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.93 as of Friday the 11th. And like most other states, it is on an upward trend.

When gas prices go up, so do prices on all kinds of other goods, such as groceries and plane tickets. Southwest Airlines announced last Monday that they were increasing ticket fares. They blamed fast-rising fuel prices.

            Like most things people buy, the price of oil is affected by supply and demand. More demand for oil drives the prices up. This and many other uncontrollable factors affect gas prices to fluctuate.

            Due to the increasing conflicts in Egypt and Libya, America has felt the effects. Of those effects is most notably the spike in gas prices over the past few weeks. When Egypt went into its period of dismay, the United States went into panic because of the already high gas prices that would soon get even higher since the U.S. is a large importer of crude oil from Egypt. 

            The dependence on fuel of people in the United States these days is causing major problems. Most families reply on cars as a form of transportation every day to get from one place to another. Many of these families are having financial troubles, which forces other solutions such as carpooling.

            Fast-rising gas prices cause major problems with those parents that can barely provide food for their family every night, let alone pay outrageous prices for fuel to drive to work every day and drive their kids to school and extracurricular activities.

            Taking the bus to school could be a possible solution for saving gas money. However, the price to take the bus is increasing as well.

            Some students at Placer High School aren’t as affected by the increase in gas prices.

            “The increased gas prices haven’t really affected me because it only takes 30 or 40 dollars to fill up my tank, and I don’t use my car that often besides school,” explained senior Victor Brambila.

            Other students such as junior Ali Dunaway find ways to cut down on paying the ridiculous price for gas.

            “I try to make everything in one trip if I can,” stated Dunaway. “And I always go scope out the cheapest gas.”

Leave a Comment
Donate to Hillmen Messenger

Your donation will support the student journalists of Placer High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

Donate to Hillmen Messenger

Comments (0)

All Hillmen Messenger Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *