Could reopening idled oil refineries ease gasoline prices?

May 30, 2022
The idea is drawing attention, but analysts disagree on whether White House pressure on the industry would work.
The Biden administration is reportedly asking oil companies to bring shuttered refineries back online.
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Survey finds more than half of Americans are experiencing financial hardship due to gas prices

May 2, 2022
Still, many people told Gallup that they believe higher gas prices are temporary.
Though Americans are spending lots at the pump, more are working from home now and can choose to drive less. 
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What does the current energy crisis mean for the clean energy transition?

Apr 28, 2022
The war in Ukraine is forcing the U.S. to reconsider its dependence on oil.
"We have seen this scenario time and time again, where oil is proving to be an unstable factor in our economy," said Mark Brownstein at the Environmental Defense Fund. "And now we have the opportunity to move to a different future."
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Russia cuts off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria

Apr 27, 2022
The economic showdown between Russia and the EU enters a new phase
Russia's energy giant Gazprom exports gas to Poland and Bulgaria. As of today, the two countries are completely cut off.
Nikolay Doychinov/AFP via Getty Images

Biden administration restarts oil and gas leases on federal lands

Apr 18, 2022
The move shows the president is trying to bring down prices, but he also appears to be going back on his word to curb oil and gas production.
It may take six months to a year before any oil is produced from new leases on federal lands. Above, pump jacks in California.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Inflation fuels drive to suspend state gasoline taxes

Mar 28, 2022
Levies average 37 cents a gallon nationwide. Three states have made the move and more may join them, but it might not provide enough relief.
Gas prices have leaped since a year ago, and some states have suspended taxes on the product to compensate.
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Why are California's gas prices so high?

Mar 15, 2022
There are several reasons. For one, the state is highly dependent on foreign crude oil.
California has always been among the priciest places for a gallon of gas in the U.S. Among the reasons are the state's higher taxes and environmental standards.
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Pressure mounts on Biden to use Defense Production Act, but it's not a "magic wand"

Mar 14, 2022
Those bipartisan calls from Congress follow the president's ban on Russian oil and other energy imports.
Though pressure is building for President Joe Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act to boost domestic oil production, some say the situation is not a national emergency — a requirement for tapping the act.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

How rising oil prices make gasoline more expensive

Mar 7, 2022
Gas prices are based on oil prices, and traders are getting nervous about a potential ban on imported Russian oil.
Gasoline prices have surged along with the price of crude oil. The war in Ukraine has raised the possibility of a ban on imports from Russia, which could squeeze the global supply.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Why do we import Russian (and other foreign) oil when we have a lot of it in the U.S.?

Mar 7, 2022
The way U.S. oil refineries are set up has a lot to do with it.
A pump jack operates in New Mexico. Though the U.S. has oil-producing regions, it would take a hefty investment to retrofit refineries to process light sweet crude.
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