(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in the United States say fuel costs have negatively affected them and their families, according to a poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 73 per cent of respondents say the rising price of gasoline has been a very or somewhat serious problem.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in the United States say fuel costs have negatively affected them and their families, according to a poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 73 per cent of respondents say the rising price of gasoline has been a very or somewhat serious problem.
The national average price for regular gasoline reached $3.23 U.S. a gallon in May, according to the American Automobile Association. The average price was $2.79 U.S. in mid-April and $2.54 U.S. in March.
In April 2005, U.S. president George W. Bush declared, “I wish I could simply wave a magic wand and lower gas prices tomorrow; I’d do that. Unfortunately, higher gas prices are a problem that has been years in the making.” 43 per cent of respondents blame oil companies for the recent price increases, while 20 per cent think Bush is responsible.
On Jun. 13, a U.S. Energy Department report revealed that American refineries operated at 89.2 per cent of capacity in the second week of June—the lowest usage rate in 15 years. Michael Fitzpatrick, vice-president for energy risk management at New York City’s Man Financial Inc., declared: “Refineries should be operating at 95 per cent of capacity right now as we approach July 4 and peak demand. (…) We aren’t building a gasoline supply cushion against disruptions and glitches.”
Polling Data
How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your family lately—a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Jun. 2007 | Jun. 2006 | |
A very serious problem | 41% | 35% |
Somewhat serious | 32% | 37% |
Not too serious | 18% | 21% |
Not a problem at all | 8% | 7% |
Who do you blame the most for the recent increase in gasoline prices – oil producing countries, oil companies, President Bush, Americans who drive vehicles that use a lot of gasoline or normal supply and demand pressures.
Oil companies | 43% |
President Bush | 20% |
Supply and demand | 13% |
Oil countries | 11% |
American drivers | 4% |
Not sure | 9% |
Source: Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,711 registered American voters, conducted from Jun. 5 to Jun. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.
