GASOLINE PRICE MONITOR acrobat readerSome of these publications may be in Adobe Acrobat format or "PDF". If you need Acrobat Reader to view a document, click the link at right to download Acrobat Reader before viewing document.  
   
       Gasoline and diesel prices in Nebraska have been straddling the $3.00 a gallon mark for seemingly months on end. What appear to be small things — such as a flooded refinery in Kansas — have big impacts hundreds of miles away on gas prices in the state. Earlier in the year, the highest prices in the nation were being paid in Nebraska.
       Another fundamental element — world oil prices above $70 a barrel — are keeping gasoline and diesel prices in the upper historical price range. Generally, gas prices should begin retreating in the fall. The September 2007 Energy Information Short-Term Energy Outlook is projecting national gasoline prices around $2.63 by December.
       Gasoline and diesel prices are a product of market forces.  Government’s role in the market is very limited: investigating unreasonable prices, monitoring supplies and alleviating any supply shortages, where possible.
       A number of tools and ideas consumers can use to keep informed and to reduce fuel use are below.		  
Current Gas and Diesel Prices  
Daily Prices from AAA
  • National
  • Nebraska Average
  • Selected Nebraska Cities

    • Weekly and Historical Prices from the Nebraska Energy Office
  • Weekly Nebraska Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Price Report
  • Weekly Production & Supply Analysis
  • Nebraska Historical Fuel Prices

    • Prices from the Energy Information Administration
  • Selected U.S. Gasoline Prices
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    Consumer Complaints  
      Gas prices are not regulated. Consumers can file complaints with the Consumer Affairs Division in the Attorney General’s office.  
     
  • Attorney General's Office

    •       Report of the Attorney General’s Task Force On Motor Fuel Pricing in Nebraska -- January 2006
  • U.S. Department of Energy
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    Frequently Asked Questions
     
  • “Where does gasoline come from?” and 5 other questions are answered in the Primer on Gasoline Sources and Markets from the Energy Information Administration
  • “What affects the price of gasoline?” and other questions in the Primer on Gasoline Prices from the Energy Information Administration?
  • Have other questions? Check the weekly “Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update,” published by the Energy Information Administration
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     Ways to Save Gas and Fuel

         Purchase Fuel Wisely and Save Up to 20%

    • Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don't Top Off the Tank: Most cars run fine on regular gas. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what fuel is right for your car. Don't "top off" at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel usually costs 10 percent less than premium gasoline.
    • Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices Are High: Today's gasolines are all very similar, so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Avoid filling the tank when prices are high. Fuel prices can sometimes vary 10 percent in an area.

         Alter Travel Practices and Save Up to 30%

    • Use Carpooling, Public Transit and Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of driving alone. Sharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip.
    • Take Advantage of Telecommuting and Telecommunications Technology: Some employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for business, shopping and services when possible.

         Drive More Efficiently and Save Up to 20%

    • Don't Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and jack-rabbit-like starts. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 65 miles per hour. Driving 65, instead of 75 mph, reduces fuel cost about 13 percent.
    • Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost by about 13 percent. If it's cool enough, use flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows.
    • Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. Carry the load inside your vehicle if you can. Removing any unnecessary weight is even better.
    • Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can. An idling vehicle gets 0 miles a gallon.

          Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive — save up to 50%

    • Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as prescribed by the vehicle owner's manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. Some overlooked maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13 percent. When purchasing new tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it was new.
    • Drive or Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. When purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50 percent. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy web site provides information on the most fuel efficient vehicles.

    Source: Adapted from the California Energy Commission
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