By Sarah Ortiz
Contributing Writer
Steadily rising gas prices are making it tough for families to make daily commutes without feeling the pinch. San Antonio gas prices are now averaging $3.64 a gallon. Nationwide, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas has reached $4 and is projected to increase, bringing back memories of summer 2008 when Americans cut back on driving and spending.
According to CBS News, “prices have been driven up by the global economic recovery, record speculation and unrest in the Middle East.” The Libyan civil war is affecting local communities far and wide, affecting how and where U.S. families drive. The price of food production, deliveries, insurance and growing companies are all affected.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela as the top five countries exporting over 1,000 barrels of crude oil to the U.S in January 2011, contributing to 70% of all crude oil imports.
With 31 oil producing states, including the top producing states of Alaska, Texas and California, some industry experts say we should rely more heavily on U.S. refineries.
“The U.S has enough crude oil to sustain itself until the Middle East comes to rest. It would save money for companies, such as Valero, on transportation fees since we have our refineries here, saving consumers at the pump as well,” said Valero Accountant Efren Delgado.
Rising Gas Prices Takes Toll on Commuter Campus
English seniors Samantha Salazar and Yvonne Aguilar commute long distances to campus. Both are arguably affected by a rise in gas prices. Salazar travels nearly 50 miles one way from Pleasanton, TX. Aguilar travels from Loop 1604 and Bandera Road, nearly 20 miles. Some students, like English senior Trevor Tellez and history major James Pacheco, live within a 10-minute drive. On a commuter campus without any residential housing, the rising cost of gas prices affects all students, some of whom commute more than an hour to attend classes.
Beat the Gas Pump
San Antonio’s Via Metropolitan offers monthly passes for $30. With a valid student ID, students can purchase semester passes for $35.
Consider ways to save money on gas and other items, such as:
- Stay in for dinner
- Start game and/or movie nights where guests bring a favorite appetizer ($8/month for Netflix)
- Buy a week’s worth of food at a time and plan meals that prevent a last-minute dash to the store (chalupas for Tex-Mex night) (hot dogs for American night)
- Carpool with a designated driver to Fiesta events
- Host Spurs Playoff viewing parties with different food themes requesting everyone bring a dish
- Visit the neighborhood parks
- Southeast side’s Southside Lions Park, once known as Pecan Valley Park, provides new playgrounds, paved tracks around a fish-filled pond, nature trails, pavilions and picnic tables.
If you have to pay for the gas, then skip the entrance fees. Many local attractions also offer free admission on certain days:
- The San Antonio Museum of Art on Tuesday’s from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- The McNay Art Museum on Thursday nights and the first Sunday of each month.
- The Witte Museum on Tuesday’s from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
With increasing gas prices and summer just around the corner, all you have to do is to look in your own backyard for entertainment and gas saving ideas.
