Gas here was ~3.20 last year and is 2.29 right now. Almost down a dollar. And it got up to nearly 3.50 when it peaked.
Gas prices
- Thread starter REDbug8915
- Start date
As for electricity prior to Biden the off months were in the $85 range. I am lucky to see $150 and summer is close to $250 . I have NG so winter is lower but still not in the $85 range.
Not sure where you live, but historical fuel information is very easy to find and doesn't track with your local pricing. Per the government, average fuel prices are down less than 7 cents since this week 1 year ago (less than 3%).
Retail Fuel Prices
I would imagine that "average" gas prices are influenced by the amount of taxes each state imposes.
Well, yeah. But that has nothing to do with how we have a segment of people claiming that gas is down a dollar in the past year, yet the facts point to a completely different scenario.
It would seem more relevant that the value of the dollar is dropping faster than a gallon of fuel.
Who was president 3.5 years ago?
So to recap….
Bidens policies bring down gas from $5.00 to $3.03.
Trump’s policies bring down gas from $3.03 to $2.95.
Why are magas even bragging about this?
Biden’s policies were the reason it was up to $5 in the first place, numbnuts
I guess you're right about the dollar. But I know that on my drives from PA to Florida and back again, the differences in gas prices from state to state is noticeable. Pa taxes are .587/gal whereas SC is .2875/gal. so there is a significant difference.
Now if you're doing a more realistic analysis would be to look up the difference in gas prices yoy. To save you the trouble, I looked it up for you...in SC 1 Dec 2024 and same date 2025... $2.71 and $2.62 respectively....PA $3.44 vs $3.16. ( according to Google AI)
So from your original post, based on these numbers, you're correct. Although that doesn't mean that prices aren't down by $1/gal somewhere (but I don't care enough to do all 50 states)
Right, that is why you would use averages. The president doesn't control state taxes. (or have as much control over fuel prices as people pretend, but I digress)
Gas prices were $2.33 when Biden took office. They rose to $4.93 before falling back to $3.08 when he left office.
U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices (Dollars per Gallon)
What did Biden do differently in the 2nd half of presidency to bring prices down?
He must have done a complete about face on policy... did he abandon green energy? build the pipeline? obtained peace in Ukraine? What specifically in his policies changed to so effectively lower the price of gas?
What did Biden do differently in the 2nd half of presidency to bring prices down?
He must have done a complete about face on policy... did he abandon green energy? build the pipeline? obtained peace in Ukraine? What specifically in his policies changed to so effectively lower the price of gas?
let's be fair about our analysis. On Jan 20, 2020, Biden's inauguration date, the average gas price was $2.37 in Va. So if it got to $5.00 (which it did) it got there during Biden's admin. So, if Biden got it down from $5, he also got it up to $5.
Before I get attacked, I'm not saying the increase was all Biden's fault, remember the Putin gas hike? Invasion of Ukraine?
To be honest, I've been disappointed so far in how little gas prices have fallen during this admin. I realize it takes time to get refineries on line and drills into the ground, but I was hoping for faster price drops for oil/gas
I'm not sure what you would expect. Adding leases and relaxing regulations are things that promote investment that will hopefully pay off in the future. They don't have much of an immediate impact.
It's the same with tariffs. Trump says he's secured $18 trillion of new investment in the U.S. My guess is that some of that was going to happen anyway and some won't happen at all. So let's assume $9 trillion is the real number. Even if it works out the jobs won't follow for a few years.
yea I know about averages. My point was that state taxes - decreases or increases - would impact a national average. If you wanted to do a better, likely not perfect, comparison, take the state taxes out of the analysis and do just the price of the product pre tax. You'd still have differences because I think that regionally prices differ.
But all that aside,the OP was correct, IMO, that gas prices have not really decreased significantly during Trumps 10 months in office.
I'm curious, why didnt you respond this earlier? You have several maga dolts in this thread making the argument that high gas prices were due to biden's policies. I see you responding, but not a mention of Ukraine or Putin.
I made this point to you in another thread. You claim to be an objective, both sides guy. But you never call out any of the magas.
That is what an average would do though. State taxes are very very likely the same in 2025 as they were in 2024. So just not sure why they are something to discuss at all.
- The spike under Biden was not his fault unless you believe he was responsible for the war. IMO that's a worthless debate.
- Russia didn't stop producing oil so global supply was hardly impacted. It was just the deals between countries that were temporarily disrupted and took a bit of time to work out. That explains the short term price spike and subsequent decline.
- Biden stopped pipelines and new leases but U.S. oil companies continued to pump from existing wells to meet demand. That's why prices stayed low.
- Trump is relaxing regulations and issuing permits. That should pay off in the future but not a whole lot immediately.
I try not to call out anybody. I try to respect that most people post in an honest, objective way. I believe that most people believe they post their honest opinions and who am I to say they're right or wrong. I have my opinions and try to post them as consistently and honestly as I can. But, as I have posted before, I'm pretty sure I'm not perfect
I can't answer why I didn't respond sooner. This was the first I opened the thread. On your third sentence, I did mention Putin and Ukraine s so I assume you were referring to the maga "dolts" not mentioning it.
Finally, I might be dense, but I don't know what a MAGA is...Republican, far right wing, trump cultist, or just someone who didn't support Kamala, or who votes democrat. The term has a different meaning to just about everyone. I have been called MAGA by some on this board and though I lean conservative, I believe I'm pretty close to center in my political beliefs
Our local utility company is getting a big rate increase. The explanation is because they have to modernize and expand the grid due to AI. I've seen similar stories around the country. Natural gas prices are also up due to greater demand but they're still lower than they were in 2021-2022. I'm not sure what any government can do to lower prices.
FWIW my electricity price is a bit higher than yours (16 cents per kwh). Delivery charges are higher than supply charges.
Get up on that soapbox! Im ready to listen.
Could get on my soapbox about electricity and bad policy moves that have us where we are today. But I won’t.
Here, as a Holiday Season PSA for those who don’t know/aren’t tied to California, use this universal financial translator for your Holiday discussions to bash/pile on California. 
Ultra High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Rich”.
Very High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Upper Middle Class”.
High Net Worth Households? (aka, all
of TI)
That’s “California Middle Class”
Upper Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Class”.
Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Poor”.
Monopolies are 100% bad. No, they’re not you idiot. Hard for me to imagine the electric utility rates being MORE outrageous had we left well enough alone. Forced divestiture of Generating Stations? What could go wrong? Where are those competitive “lower rates” we were promised?
Ultra High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Rich”.
Very High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Upper Middle Class”.
High Net Worth Households? (aka, all
of TI)That’s “California Middle Class”
Upper Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Class”.
Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Poor”.
First Mistake? Electric Utility deregulation. Hey, how’d that wonderful Economist/Academic’s-led effort work for our sister utilities, the Telecoms? Oh, not as planned, you say? The Dismal Science, eh?
Monopolies are 100% bad. No, they’re not you idiot. Hard for me to imagine the electric utility rates being MORE outrageous had we left well enough alone. Forced divestiture of Generating Stations? What could go wrong? Where are those competitive “lower rates” we were promised?
I’d like to hear more about why monopolies aren’t a “100% bad” thing, if you have time to expand on that.
I still recall the MBA class derivation of the inherent inefficiency of a monopoly and I understand the reasoning behind the Sherman AntiTrust Act, but you can effectively regulate a natural monopoly without forcing deregulation that never seems to deliver on its promises of lower cost when you “break up” monopolies.
In your experience, what do you think is the major catalyst for why you typically don’t see/or haven’t seen cost decreases after monopoly busting? Is it infrastructure issues that prohibit up and comers from providing competitive alternatives?
Good question, and I think you’ve hit on one of the issues. There’s also a high degree of specialization that creates natural scarcity. The call for municipalization of some of these functions to reduce costs is another concept I’m skeptical of.
I think municipalization can work in certain fields. It’s already been a tremendous success in Chattanooga wrt broadband. However, I think it is very naive to think it’ll be successful across all implementations
those lower rates are sharing a room with the lower healthcare costsHere, as a Holiday Season PSA for those who don’t know/aren’t tied to California, use this universal financial translator for your Holiday discussions to bash/pile on California.
Ultra High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Rich”.
Very High Net Worth households?
That’s “California Upper Middle Class”.
High Net Worth Households? (aka, all
That’s “California Middle Class”
Upper Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Class”.
Middle Class?
That’s “California Working Poor”.
First Mistake? Electric Utility deregulation. Hey, how’d that wonderful Economist/Academic’s-led effort work for our sister utilities, the Telecoms? Oh, not as planned, you say? The Dismal Science, eh?
Monopolies are 100% bad. No, they’re not you idiot. Hard for me to imagine the electric utility rates being MORE outrageous had we left well enough alone. Forced divestiture of Generating Stations? What could go wrong? Where are those competitive “lower rates” we were promised?
So to recap in SOUTH CAROLINA….
Bidens policies bring down gas from $5.00 to $3.03. (40% decrease)
Trump’s policies bring down gas from $3.03 to $2.64. (12% decrease)
Why are magas even bragging about this?
Got it—must be same room with Bigfoot, Elvis, Jim Morrison, Loch Ness Monster, and our lock-for-the-12-team playoff football team.
1.) Bides policies were anti-fossil fuel.
2.) Price of gas is not only about production but is speculative on the commodity markets. Every time there is a hiccup in the oil patch prices go up.
3.) Gas went down as soon as Trump was elected because people knew he was pro production. I don't go back to nov or dec of 2024 because the commodities were starting to price in Trumps policies. Lets go to April 2024 when it peaked at $3.67 and it was $3.88 at peak in 2023. Those are more reflective of Biden and his crusade against fossil fuels.
4.) Average this year $2.99. But I paid 2.26 last time I filled up.
5.) so a swing of 89 cents for the average and dollar for me. Biden apologist want to play some 6 or 8 cent game? Nope people knew Trump was going to beat Biden like a rented mule and figured he was a lean over Kamala. This was factored into commodities, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Now when you spend like a drunken sailor, have shortages, try to rig the system in favor of renewables, push other green nonsense raising the cost of energy you get runaway inflation.
So lets be fair.
Ws war in Iraq pushed gas prices up, this led to inflation, inflation pushed those on the financial edge into mortgage default, this coupled with democrat (Carter, Clinton, Barney Frank) housing/lending policies led to the great recession of 2008 and the election of zer0.
Biden ish is on him.
Now as for energy its 12c/kwh here and was 10 under Trump 45. Inflation and increasing demand due to growth and AI may be the issue. So I will give Biden a pass on local growth and AI.
Back to gas. Nov of 2020 on election day I made note of gas. It was $1.67. Eggs were .88c/dozen . Milk was close to $3. Inflation was way higher than the 9% they claimed under Biden. People can play with stats but I will deal with real numbers for my area. Also for my area, condos and apartment are gong up like crazy! We need new single family modest homes. They need to be 1600-1800 sqft and be in the $300K or less range. Then younger people can afford them.
Now lets look at Biden again. I believe I got 2 checks for ~11K don't remember the year. I calculated that the next year saw an increase of 10K in living expenses and no stimulus. So nearly a negative 20K swing. I was running a very small non-profit. Wife got a meager raise. Our credit card debt went through the roof. This is why I looked at the numbers. I was incredulous as to why she had put 10K on a card in less than a year. Most of the CC spending was on food. Under Trump my food budget was 640/mo for family of 4. Its closer to 800-1000 now. Shopped at Aldi yesterday for some supplemental food stuffs. Left with one Aldi bag. $60. From Sunday to today at least 200 total on food. AND we are cooking at home, not buying a bunch of highly processed food!
Real numbers that affect me.
2.) Price of gas is not only about production but is speculative on the commodity markets. Every time there is a hiccup in the oil patch prices go up.
3.) Gas went down as soon as Trump was elected because people knew he was pro production. I don't go back to nov or dec of 2024 because the commodities were starting to price in Trumps policies. Lets go to April 2024 when it peaked at $3.67 and it was $3.88 at peak in 2023. Those are more reflective of Biden and his crusade against fossil fuels.
4.) Average this year $2.99. But I paid 2.26 last time I filled up.
5.) so a swing of 89 cents for the average and dollar for me. Biden apologist want to play some 6 or 8 cent game? Nope people knew Trump was going to beat Biden like a rented mule and figured he was a lean over Kamala. This was factored into commodities, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Now when you spend like a drunken sailor, have shortages, try to rig the system in favor of renewables, push other green nonsense raising the cost of energy you get runaway inflation.
So lets be fair.
Ws war in Iraq pushed gas prices up, this led to inflation, inflation pushed those on the financial edge into mortgage default, this coupled with democrat (Carter, Clinton, Barney Frank) housing/lending policies led to the great recession of 2008 and the election of zer0.
Biden ish is on him.
Now as for energy its 12c/kwh here and was 10 under Trump 45. Inflation and increasing demand due to growth and AI may be the issue. So I will give Biden a pass on local growth and AI.
Back to gas. Nov of 2020 on election day I made note of gas. It was $1.67. Eggs were .88c/dozen . Milk was close to $3. Inflation was way higher than the 9% they claimed under Biden. People can play with stats but I will deal with real numbers for my area. Also for my area, condos and apartment are gong up like crazy! We need new single family modest homes. They need to be 1600-1800 sqft and be in the $300K or less range. Then younger people can afford them.
Now lets look at Biden again. I believe I got 2 checks for ~11K don't remember the year. I calculated that the next year saw an increase of 10K in living expenses and no stimulus. So nearly a negative 20K swing. I was running a very small non-profit. Wife got a meager raise. Our credit card debt went through the roof. This is why I looked at the numbers. I was incredulous as to why she had put 10K on a card in less than a year. Most of the CC spending was on food. Under Trump my food budget was 640/mo for family of 4. Its closer to 800-1000 now. Shopped at Aldi yesterday for some supplemental food stuffs. Left with one Aldi bag. $60. From Sunday to today at least 200 total on food. AND we are cooking at home, not buying a bunch of highly processed food!
Real numbers that affect me.
You're experience mirrors many Americans right now. That's why republicans will lose house and maybe Senate in 2026. Biden tried to tell us that everything was rosy and that we just didn't understand. Trump is attempting the same thing. "Democrats are lying to you". That may be but them telling the truth doesn't bring prices down. Affordability, previously known as cost of living, is the issue de jour, and the only way Trump comes out a winner is to get prices down.
Fair I guess but Trump has only been in for 10 months and 20 ish days.
In my store prices on essentials are trending down.
I like about 90% of his policies.
My biggest gripe is giving Putin any leeway. SELL, don't give, Ukraine whatever they need short of a nuke and let them whack that chinless b@stard.
Ah yes. the old "gas went down under biden bc people knew trump was going to beat him" argument. How did unicorn farts and fairy dust affect the gas prices?
If you got two stimulus checks, at least one of them was signed by trump. You see, trump had two stimulus bills, biden had one. trump pumped more free money to poors into the economy than biden did. Those are FACTS by the way. Easily verifiable and not up for debate.