GAS $2.25

[vineyardblues]

WTF, up 25 cents in a week in 1/2

VB

[BigFish]

Just topped off the heating oil tank for winter! Prices are on the rise....used to be heating oil prices would drop come warm weather???!!!

[JohnnyD]

I live right next to a Mobil station and the last week every time I pass, the price is higher.

Drive to work in the morning and on the way home the price is higher. Then, the next morning the price is higher than the night before.

[fishaholic18]

So what is new???

[ReelinRod]

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

So what is new???

Besides higher crude prices? Nothing . . .

Every spring gas goes up 10 - 40 cents just with the change to the summer blend. The price rises most between two important dates . . . May 1st when the first drop in vapor pressure rating is mandated and June 1st when only the lowest vapor pressure rated gas can be in the system . . .

Here is a short but relatively thorough explanation:

There are two key (although not the only) specifications that refiners must meet for gasoline. The gasoline needs to have the proper octane, and it needs to have the proper Reid vapor pressure (RVP). While the octane of a particular grade is constant throughout the year, the RVP spec changes with the seasons.

The RVP is based on a test that measures vapor pressure of the gasoline blend at 100 degrees F. Normal atmospheric pressure varies, but is usually around 14.7 lbs per square inch (psi). Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of the air over our heads. If a liquid has a vapor pressure of greater than normal atmospheric pressure, that liquid boils. For example, when you heat a pan of water, the vapor pressure increases until it reaches atmospheric pressure. At that point, the water begins to boil.

In the summer, when temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F in many locations, it is important that the RVP of gasoline is well below 14.7. Otherwise, it can pressure up your gas tanks and gas cans, and it can boil in open containers. Gas that is vaporized ends up in the atmosphere, and contributes to air pollution. Therefore, the EPA has declared that summer gasoline blends may not exceed 7.8 psi in some locations, and 9.0 psi in others. The particulars vary, but key considerations are the altitude and motor vehicle density of a specific location.

The EIA summarizes the key points:

As gasoline evaporates, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) enter the atmosphere and contribute to ozone formation. Gasoline’s propensity to evaporate is measured by Reid vapor pressure (RVP). In order to control VOC emissions, the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require that all gasoline be limited to an RVP maximum of 9.0 psi during the summer high ozone season, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established as running from June 1 to September 15. The Act also authorized the EPA to set more stringent standards for nonattainment areas. As a result, EPA limits areas designated as “high volatility non-attainment” to a maximum RVP of 7.8 psi during the high ozone season. Some States elected to require even more stringent restrictions to achieve local clean air goals, and require 7.2- and 7.0-psi gasolines.

Butane, which has an RVP of 52 psi, can be blended into gasoline in higher proportions in the winter because the vapor pressure allowance is higher. There are two advantages in doing this. First, butane is a cheaper blending component than most of the other ingredients. That makes fall and winter gasoline cheaper to produce. But butane also adds to the total gasoline pool, so that means that gasoline supplies increase in the winter as more butane is thrown into the mix. Not only that, but this all takes place after summer driving season, when demand typically falls off. These factors normally combine each year to reduce gasoline prices in the fall (even in non-election years). The RVP is stepped back down to summer levels starting in the spring, and this usually causes prices to increase.

The schedule for this seasonal transition varies somewhat from region to region, but in general is as follows. After allowing vapor pressures as high as 15 psig in the winter, the limit drops on May 1st:

May: 9.0 psig
June – Sept. 15: 7/7.8 psig

More congested areas and hotter areas will tend to have a limit of 7.0 psig, while cooler climates generally opt for 7.8 psig. Some cooler climates don't even require a reduction, and have a 9.0 psig limit throughout the summer.

Refiners will start to pull down their inventory of winter gasoline well in advance of the May 1st deadline. On that date, all gasoline in the system has to meet the stricter requirements. This is a key reason that gasoline starts to become more expensive in the spring.

Or it could just be Bush's fault or oil company greed (as if there is a difference huh? ) . . .

This is the part of gas price volatility that I wish the Dems would take credit for . . . Not that I'm against clean air but all these regulations come at a cost . . .

[Fishpart]

Also a result of crude prices going up because of the loss in value of the US Dollar......Just keep printing more because that is change we can depend on........

[gone fishin]

Bend Over !!!! GREED !

[The Dad Fisherman]

Memorial Day Creep....goes up this time every year

[PRBuzz]

They knew it was time for me to put over 50gal in the boat and 20 more in the truck, cost me over $150 on Saturday! The boat tank had $1.77/gal gas from last Nov.

[Raven]

the additive for lubrication
is suddenly in short supply thus raising prices

[beaver]

This is my theory. Spring/Summer= power toys---boats, jetskis, motorcycles, campers, lawnmowers, everything else=higher demand=we get screwed. $2.30 is better than $3.30 though. Atleast while it lasts.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by beaver

This is my theory. Spring/Summer= power toys---boats, jetskis, motorcycles, campers, lawnmowers, everything else=higher demand=we get screwed. $2.30 is better than $3.30 though. Atleast while it lasts.

It's already $2.30 at many stations on the Cape, and Memorial Day is still a week and a half away. It might not reach $3.30 but I'd bet that it will easily top $2.50 by July 4th.

[EricW]

I went into starbucks and the gas nextdoor was 2.23. I came out and it was 2.27. I should have got gas first......

It was 2.08 a week and a half ago last time I filled up....

[Raider Ronnie]

I was paying $1.95 for diesel in Green harbor for the past month, the boat is now up in Quincy and I'm guessing it will be atleast 50 cents higher when I fill up after tomorrows trip

[striperman36]

I've just paid 2.31 for diesel to fill up the truck. Lowest I've paid is 2.27