Brace yourself, because the pain at the pump is about to get real. The U.S. and Israel's war with Iran has sent shockwaves through the global oil market, and Nebraska drivers are feeling the sting.
Since hostilities erupted last Saturday, gas prices have skyrocketed across the nation, with Nebraska firmly in the crosshairs. On Tuesday, the national average hit a staggering $3 per gallon, a benchmark unseen this year. In Lincoln, many stations are teetering at $2.99 for regular gas, with Nebraska's average climbing to $2.87, according to AAA. That's a sharp climb from Monday's $2.72 and last week's $2.62.
But here's where it gets controversial: While some argue that these price hikes are a necessary consequence of global conflict, others point to policy decisions that may be exacerbating the issue. Nebraska For Us, for instance, has called out Nebraska's Congressional Delegation for what they see as a failure to prioritize the needs of working-class Nebraskans.
We spoke with Jeff Melichar, owner of a Phillips 66 station and car repair shop in Lincoln, who's seen these spikes before during Middle East conflicts. 'That’s a pretty substantial jump,' Melichar said of the 25-cent wholesale increase. 'You see that and you go, 'Ooh, that’s gonna hurt.' Especially in a single day.'
Despite the surge, Melichar doesn't expect a significant drop in business. 'People still need to get to work, pick up kids, and run errands,' he explained. 'They might be more mindful, but at the end of the day, it’ll probably shake out to be about the same.'
And this is the part most people miss: The ripple effects of these price hikes extend far beyond the gas pump. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.com, predicts prices will continue to climb over the next few weeks, with regular gas rising 10 to 30 cents per gallon and diesel potentially doubling that. This could impact everything from the supply chain and shipping costs to home heating and grocery prices, hitting lower-income earners the hardest.
Nebraska For Us has issued a statement urging Nebraska's Congressional Delegation to take immediate action to curb these increases. They argue that recent policy decisions, such as tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and cuts to health care and food access, have already strained working-class families. 'Failure to act now will leave us all paying the price,' they warned.
Here's a thought-provoking question for you: Is the current gas price crisis solely a result of global conflict, or are domestic policies and priorities also to blame? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
As the situation unfolds, Melichar remains cautiously optimistic. 'You hope that there’s a line somewhere that it doesn’t get to a really ridiculous price,' he said. 'But a lot of times, unfortunately, it is what it is.'
10/11 reached out to Nebraska’s congressional delegation for comment but has not yet received a response. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, and don't forget to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest for the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.
