Drive gas prices down

Over the past two weeks, gas prices have ticked up about 10 cents a gallon, bringing the average price at the pump to $3. The price for diesel fuel rose 9 cents, to $3.23.

In Massachusetts, self-serve regular is selling for an average of $2.87 per gallon.

That’s not great. It’s better than the record high of $4.11 set in summer 2008, but households in the United States can expect to pay about $200 more on gas this year than last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Nearly 42 million Americans will travel the roads this holiday weekend, including 1.7 million in New England, who will undoubtedly notice that filling up is adding up.

Gas prices rise when oil prices rise. Since economic growth is on the upswing globally, so is demand for oil. At the same time, OPEC has cut production to end a global oil glut, so supplies are low.

The months of April through September comprise the driving season in the U.S., when families hit the roads. With that increase in fuel demand and a decrease in the overall supply, we see gas prices go up. This year, oil supplies are running 1.1 million barrels lower than at the same point last year.

We should demand that our elected officials be mindful of rising oil prices and proactive as well. President Trump excoriated OPEC in a tweet last month: “Looks like OPEC is at it again. With record amounts of Oil all over the place, including the fully loaded ships at sea, Oil prices are artificially Very High! No good and will not be accepted!”

Though the spirit of the message is appreciated, it does nothing to affect prices at the pump. The president could capitalize on his strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and see if they’ll put the brakes on their efforts to increase barrel prices.

He could also dip into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which currently holds 665 million barrels, although the action would be brazen as it would be wanton manipulation of the markets.

Experts are optimistic prices will drop again and many suggest global uncertainly, like the war in Syria and the Iran deal, has inflated the prices we are seeing now. Add to that some hurricane-related bumps in the road, but forecasters see a correction coming later this year.

Then again, forecasters see a lot of things. High gas prices hurt the good working men and women of Massachusetts and the rest of the country. Let’s make sure policymakers keep them in mind, first and foremost.