FINAL FOCUS

— TO CHEAPER GAS?

By Cory Sekine-Pettite

“ B ack to the Future” is one of my favorite movies. It’s a classic film, so I’m going on the assumption that you’ve seen it at least once. In the scene in which Marty (Michael J. Fox) meets his family for the first time (in the past), he tells his future Uncle Joey (then a baby in pen) to “get used to these bars, kid,” because he would be spending his adult life in prison. I often think of this funny moment when pondering gas prices. Get used to the prices, kids.

A year ago, the national average price of regular unleaded was $3.07 per gallon, according to travel website AAA. As of June 22, 2022, it’s $4.96. Metro Atlanta is a commuter city with a major car culture, so we’re all taking a hit to our wallets on this — unless you own an EV, in which case, you’re likely paying more for the power coming into your home to charge your vehicle. If you’ve been driving for more than a few years, you’ve seen prices at the pump fluctuate; it’s just what they do, based on several factors largely to do with the decisions made by OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). But we’re currently seeing unprecedented costs, breaking the previous record set way back in the summer of 2008 when the national average was $4.11.

Industry experts attribute our current costly gas to several global issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pent up demand following the pandemic, and a demand that still is outstripping supply. Typically, their response to high gas prices in the summer months would be to wait until fall when prices will start to, well, fall. This year, they’re not so sure. Some even say that only a recession would crimp demand. That doesn’t sound like a great solution.

So, what can we do? Well, until we get our plutonium-powered flux capacitors, use apps to find good prices, skip the premium if you can, drive less or share rides, and use a fuel rewards program. n

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