Why Is the Price of Gas Rising Again?

Why is the price of gas in the mid Columbia and around the country on the rise again? The simple answer is this; refineries are beginning to move from winter to summer blends of gas.  Warm weather keeps more pollution in the air, and federal law will require refineries to blend a cleaner more expensive gasoline blend than in winter.  Oil companies start the transition in the beginning of February, letting their winter fuel stock deplete and shutting down drilling rigs as they move to summer blend.  This decreases the supply of gasoline and increases the price we pay at the pump.

Experts don’t expect that we’ll be back up to $3.50 a gallon this summer – more like $2.50 a gallon.  Still a good price but you might consider filling the RV and boat now before the peak price at the pump in May.