Why aren’t gasoline prices following the downward trend in oil prices?
West Texas crude oil lost $12 per barrel March 31 through April 8. Falling from $71 to $59. On April 9 it was trending lower.
Gasoline prices locally have stayed mostly between $3.59 and $3.69 per gallon with some stations in the high $3.40s range, pretty much where they were when oil was $71 per barrel. Why? They’ll give some lame explanation that it takes six weeks from getting the oil out of the ground to the pump. OK. So why do they raise the price of gasoline at the pump the same day oil prices go up?
They will say reasons such as averaging or watching the highs and lows on the market to not react quickly. What? Read the sentence above this.
Why isn’t anyone clamoring in the newspapers and social media? Because we don’t have time to pay attention.
Gasoline prices relative to oil prices should be below $3 per gallon at these oil prices.
Secondly, help your own cause. Stop speeding: Your fuel efficiency is affected by your speed.
I see drivers going 80 to 90 mph on Route 28, especially those beautiful, expensive pickup trucks. Speeding on residential roads, passing in the center turning lane in Lower Burrell, speeding on Tarentum Bridge, flying through the light to go up the hill. Try pulling out of UPMC on Burtner Road. The speed limit is 30 mph. They are up that hill from the Route 28 exit and on your tail within seconds.
David Sadowski
Lower Burrell