Thursday, September 1

Oil Storm! - Part Deux

I drove home from the law school yesterday, beat and tired, thinking I'd postpone filling up at $2.79 a gallon. A lot of times this past year, I'd go ahead and fill up, only to watch gas prices drop $0.20 the next day. Not a wise move. Gas prices were $2.99 at some stations earlier today, and had already climbed to $3.10 by the time I drove home at 4:30. The cheaper stations were holding out at $3.05. And this is Oklahoma!

I immediately thought of the summer of 98 in Norman, where gas prices ranged from $0.69 to $0.75, depending on where you gassed up. I never thought I'd see $3.

I know this is a result of the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and I don't mean to sound flippant. I think it underscores the need for an alternate energy source to power our cars. It reminds me of Oil Storm, the chessy made-for-TV disaster movie from a few months ago. A disaster similar to Katrina was one of the catalysts of the widespread chaos depicted in the movie. In the real world, there are some media punters speculating that we'll see a return of the rationing and shortages of the Carter years. The reserve has already been tapped. I don't want to sound like I have a doomsday sandwich board around my neck, but I wonder if we'll ever return to the good ol' days (and corresponding gas prices) of 1998. I come from the middle class - fairly well off - and even I have a hard time paying for gas. How do the lower income families survive?

How is everyone else. How are gas prices where you live?

7 Comments:

Blogger Molly said...

Um, okay ( ^ ). I'm so glad I don't have to drive yet. It's insanity. Stupid war. Stupid economy. You know, it'll probably be $5.00 by the time I drive.

5:42 PM  
Blogger george said...

It's about $3 in Lawrence. I'm glad I now live four blocks from work, but it has me thinking I better buy a hybrid.

Of course, everyone else is thinking that, too. So prices of those will skyrocket. It seems only the rich can get a break.

8:21 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

The most expensive gas we've seen in CT is 3.49 for regular. But most stations are at 2.89 to 3.05.

8:58 PM  
Blogger Molly said...

Ah, see, the tech thing WOULD work, except that I'm not in the class. So, I can't do tech.

11:32 PM  
Blogger Wendy said...

A few days ago, it was $3.09 at the Meijer, which usually has the cheapest gas. Randy noticed $3.19 on his way home from work yesterday, and saw that some places in Chicago were selling it for around $3.89. Before that, it had been around $2.70-2.79 in our area, although it is usually 20 to 40 cents more expensive in Chicago proper.

9:44 AM  
Blogger Austin said...

Traaaavisssss!

Amy Hayes is looking for you.

2:32 PM  
Blogger Austin said...

She's Orrison now, has two kids, and lives in D/FW.

I'll send her your way.

10:48 PM  

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