How much is filling up going to cost you this Summer?

Gas prices are once again steadily climbing with Spring approaching, the possibility now looming for prices to equal last year's highs of $3 a gallon. Prices in Detroit are up 38 cents in just the last month and are now as high as they were in early December. While prices may fail to reach the $3 level, the fact that Summer prices have for two years running now indicates that the market can sustain such prices during the warmer months.

Analysis: It almost feels like people have come to terms with high gas prices in the same way that most people now believe that climate change is well under way. Why would the oil companies do anything but push the prices to $3 a gallon over Summer if they know everyone will keep filling up?

Related:

• USDA: Biofuel use in U.S. will see spike in next few years, then drop
• London's congestion charge expansion will cleanly fuel Honda's sales
• In Europe, fuel efficiency is the primary concern

[Source: Detroit News via Wired]

Here at AutoblogGreen, we try our best to bring you the latest in green automotive news. But what about right now... what if you want to do your best with your current situation. I can certainly understand that, as I would love to own the latest, most fuel-efficient vehicle around, too, but economics dictate that I can't just go out right this minute and spend $20,000 on a new Prius, or more on a Tesla or full electric SUT, like the Phoenix we featured yesterday.

So, maybe we are stuck with your gas burner, and its once again time to fill the tank. Have you ever wondered where to fill based on how hard the oil companies try to do good? Check here. The Sierra Club has put up some good information to help you make an educated choice. Aptly titled "Pick Your Poison", you can check on the activities of the companies you choose to - or have to - support.

[Source: Sierra Club via Treehugger]

Kimberley Strassel is on the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal, and she went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last week to talk about oil prices, oil companies and ethanol. Her basic argument was that high oil prices at the pump are not the fault of oil companies and their record-breaking profits (ExxonMobil, for example, made more than $8 billion between January and March of this year, a jump of 44 percent over last year) but instead the fault of congress and unrest in the places where we get most of our oil. And, of course, a high rate of consumption. Strassel did not answer Stewart's question that, even if oil costs more per barrel, shouldn't the companies' costs be going up and their profits remaining pretty much the same?

On ethanol, Strassel said that nobody would use the fuel if congress hadn't mandated ethanol usage last year because it was difficult to transport and store. She didn't mention anything about local ethanol plants that are coming online across the country.

For at least a little while (a month or three), you'll be able to watch the clip here, after that you'll have to buy the show on iTunes.

[Source: The Daily Show]