Gas Prices

KARNUT · December 19, 2025

7 minutes ago, Atlas said:

The stations reporting the lowest prices in the nation (rumored to be Lubbock, Tx) do use fuel as loss leaders. It's Walmart and Costco and they subsidize the price of fuel as part of their memberships and store models. But OK, you're right.

I belong to some of those clubs. When I post my fuel costs. I don’t include those discounts. Using an additional credit card I can choose my discounts for using said cards I don’t include those ether.

johnnyquick · December 19, 2025

19 hours ago, Atlas said:

So you can't acknowledge that even in low tax states including Texas that the average price of gas is still well above $2/gallon?

Just as a side note, do you know that Texas has a higher poverty rate, and more people in poverty than Washington where we have comparatively high taxes and where we are gouged by oil companies on the price of fuel?

I am curious as to how oil companies are gouging Washington State residents on the price of fuel?

Why aren't the oil companies gouging everyone equally?

Seems like Wa state itself is doing the gouging with the extreme taxes on Petrol products, I believe 3rd highest in the nation at this time.

Atlas · December 19, 2025

10 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

I am curious as to how oil companies are gouging Washington State residents on the price of fuel?

Why aren't the oil companies gouging everyone equally?

Seems like Wa state itself is doing the gouging with the extreme taxes on Petrol products, I believe 3rd highest in the nation at this time.

WA state fuel tax is $0.55 per gallon on gasoline. Like CA, WA also has a cap-and-trade program but even the highest estimates of what that adds to the price of a gallon do not explain the extreme price difference the Northwest sees in general compared to other states.

Some of it is explained by regional challenges, lack of pipeline infrastructure and also refining capacity. Industry profits seem to offer a window into potential price manipulation...

Its common sense they would manipulate prices in states which have policies that are unfriendly to their industry (i.e. states that actually care about environmental impact).

Edited December 19, 2025 by Atlas

KARNUT · December 19, 2025

4 minutes ago, Atlas said:

WA state fuel tax is $0.55 per gallon on gasoline. Like CA, WA also has a cap-and-trade program but even the highest estimates of what that adds to the price of a gallon do not explain the extreme price difference the Northwest sees in general compared to other states.

Some of it is explained by regional challenges, lack of pipeline infrastructure and also refining capacity. Industry profits seem to offer a window into potential price manipulation...

Its common sense they would manipulate prices in states which have policies that are unfriendly to their industry (i.e. states that actually care about environmental impact).

Texas addresses climate issues with lower speed limits around cities and emission inspections in those areas. I don’t believe gas taxes are the way to address climate. I don’t believe we can do much about climate change. But addressing it in an entity like gas affects the middle class and the poor. Maybe if they have to do it. Do it with luxury items.

Atlas · December 19, 2025

9 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Texas addresses climate issues with lower speed limits around cities and emission inspections in those areas. I don’t believe gas taxes are the way to address climate. I don’t believe we can do much about climate change. But addressing it in an entity like gas affects the middle class and the poor. Maybe if they have to do it. Do it with luxury items.

State fuel taxes go to road construction and other infrastructure to support automotive travel. Cap and trade revenue goes to local communities.

johnnyquick · December 20, 2025

20 hours ago, Atlas said:

State fuel taxes go to road construction and other infrastructure to support automotive travel. Cap and trade revenue goes to local communities.

That is where the $$ is SUPPOSED to go..

I am quite sure if it ever were audited we would find that "administrative" costs are a large sum of these monies.

All in all it is cheaper than it was and will likely get cheaper with China using less and our production at its highest levels ever.

We are at a four year low as a National average and that is a good sign for the price of goods overall.

Atlas · December 20, 2025

15 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

That is where the $$ is SUPPOSED to go..

I am quite sure if it ever were audited we would find that "administrative" costs are a large sum of these monies.

All in all it is cheaper than it was and will likely get cheaper with China using less and our production at its highest levels ever.

We are at a four year low as a National average and that is a good sign for the price of goods overall.

It has been audited, and yes, there is administrative expense, as with all programs. But that's not where the vast majority of the money goes. This is all public information and the budgets for these programs are released every year.

Oil companies have publicly pushed back against the administration's request/threat/demand to increase production and lower prices for political reasons. It's not good for their bottom line while demand is weaking.

What you rubes don't understand is low fuel prices are only good if they're accompanied by a burgeoning economy. I can't honestly say that's the case with the current state of failures including job reports and inflation which paint a picture of a slowing economy damaged by tariffs, uncertainty, and economic isolationism.

johnnyquick · December 20, 2025

20 hours ago, Atlas said:

WA state fuel tax is $0.55 per gallon on gasoline. Like CA, WA also has a cap-and-trade program but even the highest estimates of what that adds to the price of a gallon do not explain the extreme price difference the Northwest sees in general compared to other states.

Some of it is explained by regional challenges, lack of pipeline infrastructure and also refining capacity. Industry profits seem to offer a window into potential price manipulation...

Its common sense they would manipulate prices in states which have policies that are unfriendly to their industry (i.e. states that actually care about environmental impact).

FYI, Wa state has the 5th highest oil refining capacity in the USA so I feel that refining capacity is a null argument as well as distribution with only 51% of refined product being consumed within the state and the rest being exported.

I honestly believe that Wa state is screwing their citizens big time.

Crazy stuff when you look into it, Biden had a national average of $3.60 during the course of his admin, it will be interesting to see where this admin ends up as the Natl. average under his previous term was $2.38 when he left office, little was being consumed at the end as covid was lowering demand.

As of 2 days ago the Natl average was $2.99 so I can only find Oklahoma as the lowest with $2.26.

All in all if we don't like it we can start driving EV's LMAO

johnnyquick · December 20, 2025

7 minutes ago, Atlas said:

It has been audited, and yes, there is administrative expense, as with all programs. But that's not where the vast majority of the money goes. This is all public information and the budgets for these programs are released every year.

Oil companies have publicly pushed back against the administration's request/threat/demand to increase production and lower prices for political reasons. It's not good for their bottom line while demand is weaking.

What you rubes don't understand is low fuel prices are only good if they're accompanied by a burgeoning economy. I can't honestly say that's the case with the current state of failures including job reports and inflation which paint a picture of a slowing economy damaged by tariffs, uncertainty, and economic isolationism.

What is with the "Rube" insult?

WTF is wrong with you?

Atlas · December 20, 2025

13 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

FYI, Wa state has the 5th highest oil refining capacity in the USA so I feel that refining capacity is a null argument as well as distribution with only 51% of refined product being consumed within the state and the rest being exported.

I honestly believe that Wa state is screwing their citizens big time.

Crazy stuff when you look into it, Biden had a national average of $3.60 during the course of his admin, it will be interesting to see where this admin ends up as the Natl. average under his previous term was $2.38 when he left office, little was being consumed at the end as covid was lowering demand.

As of 2 days ago the Natl average was $2.99 so I can only find Oklahoma as the lowest with $2.26.

All in all if we don't like it we can start driving EV's LMAO

How is the state screwing people when the taxes are a known entity, and gas price is what it is? Where's the money going?

BTW, some of us also own EV's and they're dirt cheap to operate.

10 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

What is with the "Rube" insult?

WTF is wrong with you?

Blameless and pure, are we?

Edited December 20, 2025 by Atlas

KARNUT · December 20, 2025

4 minutes ago, Atlas said:

It has been audited, and yes, there is administrative expense, as with all programs. But that's not where the vast majority of the money goes. This is all public information and the budgets for these programs are released every year.

Oil companies have publicly pushed back against the administration's request/threat/demand to increase production and lower prices for political reasons. It's not good for their bottom line while demand is weaking.

What you rubes don't understand is low fuel prices are only good if they're accompanied by a burgeoning economy. I can't honestly say that's the case with the current state of failures including job reports and inflation which paint a picture of a slowing economy damaged by tariffs, uncertainty, and economic isolationism.

Exactly the opposite of what I’ve been reading regarding inflation and growth. When manufacturers and businesses finish building their plants and factories. It doesn’t happen overnight. It does take a few months. Prescription medication prices are on the way down. Thanks to Trump and the favored nation engagement. I wonder after the first of the year when all these and other positives things come in the picture. If the Debbie Downers and wishful thinkers will finally acknowledge the positives. Or dig for another fake negative. Or simply make another negative up. There’s definitely a positive swing. Rubes, that’s funny. It’s amazing when certain people wish for destruction especially after the last failed administration. Or maybe they like waste and high prices. Rock on Debby Downers. If nothing else, it amusing. Definitely not informative or inspiring.

KARNUT · December 20, 2025

18 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

What is with the "Rube" insult?

WTF is wrong with you?

When Debbie Downers come in with false narratives they are easily triggered. They insult as a defense. While the people they backed are found to be bad administrators. They act out more. Every positive is spun negative. I only engage because it’s fun to trigger them. The truth is on our side. When they get really nasty I just ignore them.

Atlas · December 20, 2025

9 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Exactly the opposite of what I’ve been reading regarding inflation and growth. When manufacturers and businesses finish building their plants and factories. It doesn’t happen overnight. It does take a few months. Prescription medication prices are on the way down. Thanks to Trump and the favored nation engagement. I wonder after the first of the year when all these and other positives things come in the picture. If the Debbie Downers and wishful thinkers will finally acknowledge the positives. Or dig for another fake negative. Or simply make another negative up. There’s definitely a positive swing. Rubes, that’s funny. It’s amazing when certain people wish for destruction especially after the last failed administration. Or maybe they like waste and high prices. Rock on Debby Downers. If nothing else, it amusing. Definitely not informative or inspiring.

The last jobs report prepared by hand-picked staff assured to lie as best as possible LITERALLY showed negative job growth and increasing unemployment.

What planet are you living on Karnut?

KARNUT · December 20, 2025

8 minutes ago, Atlas said:

The last jobs report prepared by hand-picked staff assured to lie as best as possible LITERALLY showed negative job growth and increasing unemployment.

What planet are you living on Karnut?

I’m starting to get bored with the negativity. I live in the most prosperous county in the best state with conservative values. It happens with every conservative administration after a failed liberal administration. The turn around usually takes 12-14 months. As usual the Debbie Downers hop on the negative bandwagon while the new policy is turning the economy around. It always happens. It’s nothing new. I lived through several. Some people learn others repeat the same mistakes. We call them liberals.

customboss · December 20, 2025

21 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Texas addresses climate issues with lower speed limits around cities and emission inspections in those areas. I don’t believe gas taxes are the way to address climate. I don’t believe we can do much about climate change. But addressing it in an entity like gas affects the middle class and the poor. Maybe if they have to do it. Do it with luxury items.

Texas doesn’t address anything about climate improvement that the FEDS didn’t threaten to cut funding about to get them to comply. Emissions testing federally driven.
Heck Texas killed off all their natural game animals as soon as they ran all the Indians out. Why you come up here to hunt what you ain’t got.