What's going on with gas prices.

[Thom]

One of the stations in O Fallon Mo today raised it price 20 cents to $2.98 a gallon. I've searched the net and can find no explanation or reason for the recent surge except refinerys are retooling. Not true! T

I wonder if the industry has decided that they are not even give us a plausable reason. What can you do? I know lots of people who are not planning the same driving vacations this summer. Will it affect the tourism industry?

I am interested in the price of gas in your area. I know that Springfield and south toward Branson is usually the least expensive on my trip down from Ofallon. Usually about 10 cents less somewhat due to the lack of formulated gas required here.

[WebFreeman]

2.75 in republic just outside of Spfd. My wife heard they were raising prices so I filled her up. It was less than 2.50 here a couple weeks ago. It's a conspiracy, seriously....

[Phil Lilley]

I thought it was state law that a station could only raise the price 5 cent per day...

Ours is about 2.89 last I checked.

We're tuned to the tourist season down here and see the price go up before a busy season and go down after one. It's frustrating. I know it's a part of supply and demand but sometimes it makes no sense.

Something has to happen... gotta get off the gasoline addiction.

Anyone want to buy a 1995 Ford F-150 gashog!! Two tanks = $70.00!

[troutchaser]

I don't think that's a state law, Phil. If it is, it's not enforced. On my way to church, yesterday, gas was $2.69 per gallon. On the way home from church, the same station was $2.75! That was in 3 hours.

[Quillback]

I was reading the other day that gasoline usage in the US, despite higher prices, is still rising on a year to year basis. As long as we keep burnung it, they'll keep charging us for the priviledge.

I'm reminded of that old Pogo saying: "We have met the enemy and they is us."

[Randall]

$2.79 here in fayette. columbia was the same yesterday.

my marketing professor told us that the reason gas prices rise with the temperature is that "summer grade" is refined twice and "winter grade" is refined once. it has something to do with vaporization that occurs while fueling.

[Thom]

I think the problem is us old people. We want to travel, vacation, drive SUV's etc. A lot of nerve thinking we can enjoy all that we have worked and saved for all of our lives.

Seriously, There are a lot of people in this country and around the world making lots of money on petrolem products. Making money is not really bad but manipulating the market to do it is. Cartels do it and I strongly think that refiners do it also.

I know this will solicit lots of comments on a free market but there is little or no oversight on profits, graft, political contributions to both dems and reps, and multiple other issues. When oversight occurs it is manipulated by the party in power to advance their cause. Government is one of the worst offenders. Their procedes from tax revenue on gasoline is outrageous.

Phil:

I feel your pain but I don't let it stop me. Thankfully God has blessed our family with a great retirement.

Gas prices go down here 1 cent at a time and raise always at least 12 cents and this time 20 cents.

There is only a law preventing goughing and it is hard to prove. Only one sucessful case in the ST. Louis and that was right after the hurricanes.

[bojack]

wonder why oil companies are amoung the few that in the hard times can keep raising their prices and very, very seldom have a bad year. instead they are making billions more than they use to at americas expense. it just isn't right. maybe i'll go to my boss tomorrow and tell them i need a raise cause i'm going out of town on a trip and i MIGHT have some car trouble so i need the extra cash. oil companies do it with the governments blessing! we have had over 30 years to come up with alternative fuel when nixon was in office, and the oil companies would not let it happen. this is " BS "

[SilverMallard]

It's a bad deal. They've got us over a barrel. Pun intended. It is actually cutting into my fishing. And I already down-sized from a 4x4 4dr truck to a small sedan to increase my gas mileage by about 50%.

The oil co's have 2 years left during which they KNOW they have a veto protecting them from the gov't...thus, the consumers. I don't expect to see it get any better until Feb 2009. And I expect it to get ridiculous in the meantime.

[jdmidwest]

$2.79 to $2.89 in SE MO. Jumped from $2.57 to $2.84 in 4 hours here last Wed. Let me see, Hurricane in the gulf, War in the middle east, that time of the year to change blends, holiday coming up, refinery shut down, Al Gores coming to Mo, or some other BS I'm sure. They have more excuses than I can remember. Main thing is we are still using it. Cut back and they raise it higher. Its getting pretty ridiculous.