Staff editorial: Rising gas prices may affect students

G

AS PRICES are on the rise, conveniently just in time for spring and summer.

While travelers are preparing for vacation, they also should prepare to spend more money filling up their vehicles.

Experts say there are a few contributing factors in the rise of prices.

The U.S. economy still is recovering from a recession, and new troubles with Iran have sparked recently. But the main reason for the increase is simply because the cost of oil has gone up.

The average price of gas in the United States at this writing was $3.72, and it is expected to continue to rise throughout the spring and summer months.

Just a little more than a month ago, the average price for gas was $3.52.

In California, New York, Hawaii and Alaska, the average price already has hit the $4 mark.

It’s only the third month of the new year, and gas already is up 13.3 percent from what it was in 2011.

The Texas Panhandle consistently has had a fairly stable economy, but that’s not to say that residents, including college students, won’t be affected by the new gas prices.

In a recent edition of The Ranger, the student poverty line was addressed.

College students always are trying to find deals and cheap ways of living as it is.

With students already struggling to make their way through school, will the new gas prices force some students to stop attending in order to save money?

It is a possibility.

Luckily, Amarillo College will do whatever it takes to help students get through school, including, in some cases, help with public transportation.

One upside for students to the increase in gas prices is that it provides more ways to be active in getting to school.

Riding a bike, skateboarding or walking during the warmer months can be nice and healthy changeups.

For years, the United States has struggled with keeping gas prices at a decent rate.

The situation in Iran and other factors make it difficult to keep oil prices down.

And the cost of living in the United States constantly is going up.

But the one constant when it comes to gas prices is the fact that they always will fluctuate.

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