Part 10/13:
The costs associated with such imports can spike dramatically during market shortages—an increase of up to $40 per barrel, equating to an additional dollar per gallon. This would push Oregon’s fuel prices to unprecedented levels, potentially reaching $8 or even $10 per gallon, up from current averages around $3.70.
For consumers, such increases translate into an extra $2,000 to $3,000 annually for a single driver, a financial burden that can disrupt household budgets and threaten economic stability. For rural communities and essential service providers like school bus drivers, these hikes are not merely inconvenient—they pose immediate threats to employment, livelihoods, and basic mobility.