Gas prices

A sluggish crude oil market, moderate global demand and healthy U.S. refining capacity have combined to drive down fuel costs

Plus, we'll look at the how gas prices can affect elections and do the numbers on the new COVID vaccine in this week's newsletter.

With more efficient vehicles and fewer commuters, less gas is being consumed. But prices are still high for other aspects of summer travel.

The petroleum-producing cartel is trying to push global oil prices higher, but Americans aren't seeing an increase at the gas pump.

The cartel wants to manipulate production to push up prices and demand.

It's largely about the chemistry of the oil and the mechanics of the refineries. In many cases, importing foreign crude is cheaper.

Stay with us here — think about chicken parts. Higher demand for white breast meat means an excess of chicken legs.

Gas is close to the $3 per gallon mark and has broken that in parts of the South.

Production cuts may no longer be as effective at propping up prices because electric vehicles are cutting into global demand.

Since the end of September, Brent Crude has been sliding — down to the $84-a-barrel range, more than a 10% decline in just over a week. This is also playing out at the pump, with gas down about eight cents a gallon in the last week.