Gas prices

Posted at 2:49 PM on February 26, 2008 by Bob Collins (11 Comments)

Today's average price for a gallon of gasoline in the Upper Midwest:

South Dakota $3.17
North Dakota: $3.16
Michigan: $3.12
Nebraska: $3.12
Illinois: $3.11
Wisconsin: $3.11
Iowa $3.08
Minnesota $3.04

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Comments (11)

Thank God for the Transportation Bill veto over-ride. When it comes to taxes I'd hate to see Minnesota at the bottom of the list.

Posted by G Man | February 26, 2008 3:37 PM

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It's a good thing that we have a president who will "jawbone OPEC members to lower prices."

Posted by MR | February 26, 2008 3:47 PM

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I guess I must not know how this gas tax works because even if the tax raised the price of gas a quarter it would still be less than some of the highest prices gas prices rose last year. If I am going to pay extra for gas I would rather have it go to bridge work road work than into the texas oil man's pocket.
maybe more folks will bus or peddle to work this summer.

Posted by c | February 26, 2008 3:47 PM

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It'll be interesting to see if the cost results in anyone actually slowing down.

As the price of gasoline has risen from the $1.50 days not long ago to the $3 a gallon now, people haven't slowed down.

Check out this claim. Driving more "moderately" can save 37%. At $3 a gallon, that would equate to $1.11 a gallon.

But, I think it's fair to say, there's no real indication people are changing their driving habits to save $1.11, let alone 8 cents a gallon.

So the question is: with all the discussion about the impact of the gas tax (for the moment, forget about the registration fees), is the discussion really about the actual cost or is it political hyperbole?

Have you changed your driving habits?

Posted by Bob Collins | February 26, 2008 3:51 PM

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I probably pay a little more in rent now, but moving to downtown St. Paul has certainly helped on my budget. I am able to walk to work and I take public transportation fairly often. I know not everyone can live within walking distance of their work, but Twin Cities public transportation is not that bad. I never thought I would come out as a cheerleader for Metro Transit, but I've never had any problems. Now all I need to do is live in a city like Washington D.C., with an extensive subway system.

Posted by Mac Wilson | February 26, 2008 6:05 PM

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I think it is a winning situation all around. If people are wise they will downsize. This is also good for the environment. Good for public transportation and good for the economy in the sense that when people take the bus they gotta get out into society.

I kinda like the idea of the monster truck people getting tanked at the pumps.

Posted by c | February 26, 2008 7:18 PM

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Gas companies are charging whatever they feel like charging, and they will continue to do so as long as they can get away with it.

Some similarities between the oil industry and the tobacco industry: They both exploit people's addictions (nicotine in tobacco, the convenience of gas). Also, both industries have stifled better alternatives (not smoking is healthier than smoking, not using gas pollutes less). People have risen up against the tobacco industries... i sincerely hope the same thing happens with the oil industry. It is astounding how much big oil has stolen from the working majority.

Posted by patrick | February 26, 2008 8:44 PM

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"It'll be interesting to see if the cost results in anyone actually slowing down."

Of course it won't. Gas is still cheap. Granted, a fill-up cost me $50 today, and that didn't feel cheap, but it will last me two weeks, including the 10 mile each way commute to work. $50/10 days is $5/day. I don't think I could ride the bus for that price & it would take 3 times as long. Instead, its cost-competitive for me to take my 4000 lb vehicle to & from work, at my convenience.

Gas is cheap.

Posted by bsimon | February 26, 2008 10:13 PM

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Low gas prices?!? I blame ethanol...

No, really...our gasoline is all E10. We are only state in Upper Midwest to require E10 at all pumps.

As for the price of E85 in Minnesota:$2.37 at the Foley and Highway 10 Holiday Station, Coon Rapids.

Posted by Bob from ALAMN | February 27, 2008 3:17 PM

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Of course, much like the "park rating" factor when comparing one baseball team to another, we'll have to figure out the "mpg" factor when comparing ethanol states with non-ethanol states.

In either case,of course, the cost goes down by just a very slight release of pressure on the accelerator.

Of course, if that happened, there wouldn't be extra money coming into the state for transportation.

Posted by Bob Collins | February 27, 2008 3:29 PM

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I watched my gas consumption vary from 28 mpg to a real low of 14 mpg without changing my driving habits or doing anything to my vehicle. So how does this work? Can you say RIPPED OFF AT THE PUMP BEING SOLD SOMETHING THAT ISN'T ALL GASOLINE? Yep, it's just the variation in what they pass off as "gasoline" and this at NAME BRAND service stations (I was pumping from the same stations during this period of fluctuation.) So what you are sold will also make a great difference in your cost/consumption/mileage.

Posted by John from Green | April 11, 2008 12:22 PM

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