The heat behind the jump in gasoline prices
After months of stability, prices at the pump have jumped as hot temperatures hit refineries — and could boost inflation.By James Bikales and Ben Lefebvre
08/03/2023 12:23 PM EDT
Steady gas prices have been a success story for the White House, but they’re on the rise again as U.S. refineries bake under extreme heat and OPEC+ keeps a lid on output.
After six months of holding nearly steady, gasoline prices have suddenly lurched nearly 30 cents higher in the past month to an average $3.82 per gallon nationwide, according to AAA.
It’s a glaring example of how the heat that’s been baking much of the United States in recent weeks — and which scientists say is exacerbated by climate change — is threatening the economy with new inflationary pressures, as well as public health.
At least four fuel-making plants in Texas and Louisiana — the states that are home to half the nation’s refining capacity — have suffered outages at least in part due to heat in recent weeks, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. And even the refineries that are still churning away are likely producing less because petroleum expands in high temperatures, he said.
more
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/03/why-gas-prices-are-rising-again-00109619