According to an article in USA Today (yesterday), there may be gas shortages in the United States this summer, leading to higher prices.
Fears of shortages. As warmer weather triggers more driving, demand for gasoline will rise from 8.8 million barrels a day now to 9.5 million by late summer. U.S. refineries can't make that much and depend on imported gas to fill the gap.
•Petro-politics: OPEC, the cartel that pumps one-third of world oil, says it will cut production April 1. Venezuela, a major source of U.S. oil and gas, is in political turmoil that is causing work stoppages in the petroleum industry.
•Regulations: U.S. clean-air rules require lower-sulfur gas that some overseas suppliers can provide. Also, refineries are shifting to summer-blend gas, which is designed to lower pollution. The switchovers can cause shortages.
Gee, do you think a state of emergency will be called in Venezuela this summer (since the bogus recall seems to have failed)?
On a related note, if you haven't seen the documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, you should.
4:33:20 PM
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