By: Bradley Dillon, Seth Dillon, Alaunté Massrock, & Tyler Shaw
Have you been affected by the recent rise in fuel prices? If so, you are not alone; many other Americans have suffered the same fate due to the recent ongoing conflict with Iran. Tariffs and controversy have ruffled the feathers of many American citizens. Gas and diesel are the backbone of the country, diesel powers freight, shipping, and farm equipment. This crisis on gasoline is affecting not only Americans but other countries. The United Kingdom, Indonesia and Lebanon have suffered an extreme rise in fuel prices. Nigeria has even seen a drastic 92% increase in diesel prices, so this Iranian war has affected a lot more than just American consumers, according to CNN. Gas isn’t even the worst part, American diesel has gone up sixty to seventy percent since the start of the Iranian war. Diesel has shattered past records coming in at $6.31 cents per gallon according to CNN. History teacher Monica Kiskadden shared some of her thoughts on the current crisis, “Horrible. Gas and oil companies want to turn a profit and they will use any excuse to raise prices.” Kiskadden says that the current wars in Iran are a large part of why the current gas prices are so high today. The wars are not only a factor in gas prices but diesel and oil as well. Gas prices are also feeding into the cost of groceries, produce, and manufactured goods. Because diesel prices have skyrocketed, families relying on oil tanks to heat their homes are facing projected winter heating bills that are $800 to $1,200 higher than last year according to CNN; it is thought that domestic drilling could be the solution to the dire problem happening in the eastern hemisphere. Its thought is to eliminate the shipping of oil to the United States completely. Others want to cut out gas altogether by replacing it with renewable energy also known as green energy; such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. These alternative ways of energy would allow people to achieve lower costs on bills and receipts nationwide. It would also strengthen national security and the climate crisis could be solved. Families are now worried about how they will heat their homes and get their kids and themselves from point A to point B.
