Gas prices are fluctuating again, but what’s really happening? The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries the biggest reason for gas prices rising is because of crude oil. Crude oil is, according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, a mixture of hydrocarbons, remaining liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through separating facilities. As well as an abundance of other things, like inflation, environmental problems and environmental regulations.

The main contender is environmental regulations, as gas is more expensive in the spring than it is in the winter, and this is due to evaporation. Another contender is inflation, or as Joe Biden said, “the pandemic.” He goes on to say “When COVID struck, demand for oil plummeted”. See, but that was during the pandemic, so shouldn’t have the demand gone back up? Wrong.
According to IEA’s oil market report in July 2024, world oil continues to decelerate. Though, they did say in 2020 it increased to 710 kb/d year-on-year. Gas prices have always seemed to fluctuate. As of now, AAA has said today’s national average is $3.317! An entire other dollar for gas compared to 10 years ago. As we transition into winter, the prices will definitely go down slightly, but the question is will they stay down? It seems like no matter what, gas prices will continue to rise and fall, regardless of crude oil, inflation, environmental regulations, or anything else that causes gas prices to fluctuate. It seems like it’s something all Americans will just have to get used to from now on.