Hi 87 / Lo 72
|
Hi 87 / Lo 72 |
Student Publications
©1991-2007
Last modified:
Contact:
|
Volume 71, Issue 133,
Monday, April 24, 2006
News Students seek relief from gas prices as summer hits by MARY HULSE
Gas prices in Houston have risen 10.6 cents since April 13, making the average price of gas $2.86 a gallon, AAA Weekend Gas Watch reported. "Prices usually rise in the summer," finance professor Craig Pirrong said. But the season is not the only factor causing the increase in gas prices, Pirrong said. Methyl tertiary-butyl ether -- a product used to oxygenate gasoline to make it burn more efficiently and reduce air pollution -- is being replaced by an ethanol additive. MTBE has been found in ground and drinking water sources. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency states, "Contamination of drinking water sources can occur from leaking underground and above ground fuel storage tanks, pipelines, refueling spills, automobile accidents damaging the fuel tank, consumer disposal of old gasoline (and) emissions from older marine engines." As oil companies switch to using the ethanol additive, gasoline will be more expensive to produce. "At $2.80 per a gallon of gasoline, a 7.5 percent ethanol addition would result anywhere between 6 and 9 cents more for the price of gasoline," chemical engineering professor Michael Economides said in an Energy Tribune article. The higher gas prices are causing problems for UH students as the semester comes to an end. "I am completely out of money for the semester," English senior Kay Ballentine said. "I am going to have to sell some stuff, like some books and clothes, to pay for gas to get to my finals." Ballentine, who spends $45 to fill her tank every week and a half in her drive from the Clear Lake area, said she is responding to the price increase by reducing her bills with a cheaper Internet provider and turning her apartment air conditioner up a few degrees. Gas prices are also playing a factor in whether students will attend summer classes. "Because of gas prices, I'm seriously considering not going to summer school," creative writing junior Kyle Nowotny said. Nowotny spends from $30 to $35 to fill his gas tank, but he expects his next tank of gas to be higher. Students have found relief from gas prices by carpooling to school. "I usually have to fill up my tank every other week," said anthropology sophomore Margaret Walk. "I carpool with a friend, so I only drive to campus every other day." Pirrong said he does not see an end to the higher prices of gas in Houston and the switch to an ethanol additive will be a long-term process. With additional reporting by Katy Umaña and Lori Martinez. Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
To contact the
To contact other members
of
 |