Gas prices at all time high
The year 2008 will mark a time when the price of crude oil has climbed up to nearly $100 a barrel. According to the site www.eia.doe.gov, as of Jan. 11, the U.S. is paying roughly $89.60 a barrel as opposed to 1978 when the price was a mere $13.38. In just 30 years, the price of oil has raised $76.22, a drastic change that seems to be having drastic effects.
Although the U.S. is not the highest paying country, the biggest spender award goes to Malaysia with $100.92 a barrel; it seems to be climbing quickly up the spending ladder.
As for the local gas stations located around Saddleback, there was a startling disparity between gas stations no more than one minute away from each other.
The Shell station located on Marguerite and Avery costs $3.179 for regular gas, $3.299 for plus and $3.399 for V power gas. However, the neighboring Shell station on the other side of the 5 freeway would cost you much more per gallon. At the Interstate 5, it costs $3.479 for regular, $3.559 for plus and $3.659 for V power. For a simple one-minute drive, the price increases $0.30 per gallon.
“It’s getting harder and harder to justify going to school,” said Matthew Brady, 19, communications. “It’s costing me $5 just to get from home to school.”
A $10 round trip four days a week may start to burn a whole in many pockets.
Although the price of classes is low, the high gas prices still affect many people.
Bahde lives about 10 minutes away from school, but having to drive there four days a week has become a frustrating routine. “I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t even care anymore.” said Anthony Bahde, 19, psychology.
Living only a few minutes a way helps Professor Haggerty when it comes to breaking the bank on gas, but it is not that easy for everyone.
“The rise in oil prices forces us to look at other sources of energy,” said Lee Haggerty, instructor of political science and history at Saddleback.
Many students are finding it more difficult to justify driving to and from work and school. However, this rise in gas prices may justify students coming together “go green”. The rise in gas prices diminishes the desire to use vehicles, which contribute to pollution and damage the Earth.