Gas prices are on the rise
Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, gas prices are back on the rise. AAA reports it jumped about 13 cents a gallon this past week, the highest jump in decades. We found out why and how long this increase will be going on for.
Experts say there're two reasons, the strike in Venezuela is costing the US about a 15% decrease in our oil production, and speculation of the war looming.
What a difference a week can make when it comes to gas prices. Around the valley, drivers are feeling the pinch. Tina Huffman typically fills her tank up twice a week for work. the rise in gas prices is costing her about 15 bucks more, in just one week.
"It takes most of my pay check to get back and forth to worth,” she says.
On average, AAA reports gas prices in Riverside County have shot up about 16 cents a gallon in the last week, making a difference of about six to seven dollars per tank. Of course, that varies per car.
Bill Thoene says he has to cut his travel down a bit to make up for the dent in his wallet.
"To me, I drive less, I don't, I feel sorry for those who work. It has a huge impact on them."
Ken Williamson has owned gas stations for more than 37 years and says this increase is the highest he's seen.
Higher prices are expected to continue to go up at least for the next six weeks. For some, that means it's time to start driving less.
Officials at OPEC said it will make up for the oil production that's lost from the Venezuela strike, but that will be another six weeks until we start to see the prices come down.