The retail price of gasoline is not hurting due to lack of refining capacity. There are no gasoline shortages, there is enough active refinery capacity and production.
The retail price of gasoline, just like refiner’s profit margins, are hurting due to the global prices for the crude oil refiners turn into gasoline.
“Build more refineries” is not an answer to a problem unrelated to sufficent supply.
There might be more refineries built, if and when, the prices refiners have to pay for crude oil were to come down, which would make the refinery businesses more profitable, and, depending on circumstances, might help make for lower retail gasoline prices.
Meanwhile, trade-in the pickup (or an old inefficient vehicle) for a more fuel efficient vehicle; strategize around ways you can drive less; get out the old bicycle for “getting around town” (and losing a few pounds); etc. etc. Supply and demand works.
Bookmark
Precisely why the oilcos are cutting gasoline production. There is much less demand. If everyone were working, there would be less of a problem with high gas prices. But with 13-15% real unemployment and 20% under-underemployment and 2 MILLION fewer actual jobs in the economy, who needs gas?
While I wasn't looking, it seems 53% of my fellow American voters thought that a jive-ass Chicago Community Organizer of highly dubious provenance, with a slew of commie friends and a string of mysterious Affirmative Action academic credentials, would somehow make a great President. They also thought it would be way cool to have a "person of color" in the White House. Why they didn't choose Deval Patrick is beyond me. He is better looking, just as nonsensically ignorant and ineffectual, and an even better liar.
The RNC also thought it would be way cool to nominate a drooling old fool who made Bob Dole look peppy and smart as "our" candidate.
WTF. Happy Motoring!