Minnesota gas prices are reaching an all-time high, with the average in Minnesota being $3.959 per gallon according to AAA. The record average in MN is $4.275 on 5/20/13. America broke the national high in gas prices on 3/11/22 with the prices being  $4.331 . So who controls the gas prices, and why were the prices going from only $1.90 back in the beginning of the Summer, to almost $4 in little over a year.

The President of the United States must have the power to control gas prices right? That’s only somewhat true. Presidents can play a role in gas prices, but they’re mostly controlled by oil prices and supply and demand.

Donald Trump stated, “Gas was at — $1.83 or $1.86 when I left, a gallon. And now it’s at $7.70 in California, in different places in California, and it’s heading that way everywhere.”

That statement is untrue, because gas prices were $2.30 when Trump left office. $7.70 is also a ridiculous price for gas per gallon. What Trump said about gas prices being $7.70 now somewhere in California isn’t wrong, but misleading. AmeriCo Gas in Gorda, California is selling gas for $7.60 per gallon. The thing is, that particular gas station is known for higher gas prices. Their gas station is at least 40 miles from the next gas station, so they have a choice on what they want their prices to be. The average gas price in California is $5.721.

If it’s not Biden raising the gas prices then what is it? Gas prices follow behind oil prices and that also depends on the supply and demand of oil. During the Covid pandemic, many people stayed inside and weren’t using their vehicles a lot. Now a lot more people are using gas. There is a higher demand for gas, forcing the prices to rise. Many people are taking vacations again since we’re slowly going back to normal. Planes hold around 3,500 gallons of gas.

Free citizens network stated, “Because the economy is doing so well and COVID cases have decreased, Americans are leaving the house again, heading back to work, to school, to restaurants, and to vacations.”

The pandemic really influenced the prices. It’s normal for the gas prices to rise, but it’s usually not normal for them to drop to what they were during last summer. There’s no telling what the gas prices will do in the future.

WTI crude oil was at an all time high on March 8, 2022 with a price of $123.70. It dropped to under $100 on March 14th, posted by Oilprice.com. The prices rose quickly after to $113.45 on March 23, 2022. Anything could happen that would influence the prices.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said, “as the further invasion of Ukraine by Russia and subsequent sanctions on Russia and other actions created significant market uncertainties about the potential for oil supply disruptions.”

There are a lot of factors that go into the price of the gas that we use daily. Biden isn’t the main cause of gas prices going up, although a lot of people think it’s all his fault. The price of gas is determined by the supply and demand of oil prices, not Joe Biden.