Global disruptions causing local impacts in Central Oregon as gas prices continue to rise
(Update: adding comments from local lawmaker, AAA)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Rising global tensions are continuing to drive up gas prices across the U.S., and Central Oregonians aren't immune from feeling the impacts at the pump.
Recent conflict in the Middle East has disrupted key oil shipping routes, pushing up the global price of crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline. Even though most of the U.S. oil supply comes from domestic sources and Canada, officials say Americans are still closely tied into the global market.
“There’s a lot of interdependence between India and Iran in their oil supply,” said State Representative Emerson Levy (D-Bend). “Our oil supply mostly is domestic, but we are still always tied to that per-barrel price. So whatever is happening in the world affects us at home, but it’s not necessarily our supply.”
Marie Dodds, director of government and public affairs for AAA Oregon and Idaho, expanded on the topic, noting any issue in a worldwide product supply can quickly translate to higher prices at local levels.
“Any time there’s a disruption in supplies in that global market, prices go up,” Dodds said. “Crude oil is that basic ingredient that goes into a gallon of gas or diesel. So when that cost of the main ingredient goes up, so do gas and oil prices when we go to our local gas station to fill up our tanks.”
The rising cost is being felt statewide, with limited options for immediate relief across both the country, and right here in Oregon.
“The majority of the cost that Oregonians are paying at the pump all goes back to the Iranian government cutting off ships being able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” Levy said. “It’s really difficult to pay higher costs when you’re already feeling the squeeze.”
With no clear end to the conflict, analysts warn drivers should prepare for more volatility in gas prices as ongoing instability could push prices even higher in the weeks ahead.
Earlier Story -- BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Gas prices are still climbing quickly across the U.S., and right here in Oregon. Central Oregon drivers are not only feeling it in their wallets, but also talking more about politics at the pump.
According to GasBuddy, the average price for a gallon of gas in Oregon has jumped more than 30 cents in the past week, pushing the statewide average to about $4.41 per gallon. That’s nearly 80 cents higher than just one month ago.
In Central Oregon, prices are slightly lower but still elevated, averaging around $4.38 per gallon among our tri-county area. At the Parkway Chevron in southern Bend, regular gas was priced at $4.29 per gallon on Monday.
GasBuddy analysts point to global tensions and tight oil supplies as key factors behind the recent spike. Analysts warn prices could continue climbing in the weeks ahead if those pressures persist.
In Central Oregon, many say the increase has been sudden and hard to ignore.
“Everybody talks about how much it's gone up,” said Ron Starkey, a gas attendant at Parkway Chevron. “It's been, I don't know, two or three weeks since it went from $3 to over $4. So people have definitely noticed.”
He added that customers are increasingly concerned about how rising fuel costs affect everyday expenses.
“They know that higher gas prices means that that's higher prices for everything else,” Starkey said. “So they're not happy - I mean, they're not happy.”
Starkey said those frustrations are often turning into political discussions.
“There's a lot there's a lot of people that voted for Trump thinking that he was going to do the right thing, and they feel very disillusioned from what I've heard,” he said. “It's all the same stuff that they fed to us when Bush went to war with Iraq. I don't see how that really makes anything better.”
Not everyone sees it the same way. One viewer told KTVZ News via social media the increase was expected and expressed support for the current administration, saying she is “glad to finally have a transparent leader.”
With prices expected to remain high in coming weeks, a few ways to cut costs include signing up for loyalty or reward programs, use credit cards with cash back on gas purchases, and fill up when you notice lower prices, if possible.
Earlier Story -- CNN is reporting, global oil prices are rising again amid escalating tensions with Iran, a shift that is beginning to show up at the pump in Oregon and across Central Oregon.
On Sunday, crude oil prices climbed to their highest level since July 20–22. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose nearly 3% to just over $106 a barrel. U.S. oil also increased, gaining about 2.6% to reach $101 a barrel.
The price jump follows comments from President Donald Trump suggesting the war with Iran could continue for several more weeks. Iran has been blocking oil tankers from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Over the weekend, Trump called on the international community to help reopen the strait.
The global uncertainty is already affecting drivers closer to home. According to AAA, gas prices across Oregon have been climbing, with the statewide average for regular gasoline sitting around $4.46 per gallon.
In Bend, drivers are paying slightly more, with regular unleaded averaging about $4.47 per gallon. Analysts say if oil prices continue rising and shipping disruptions persist, prices at the pump could increase further in the coming weeks.
