Apr 17

　　Bad news for drivers: gas prices this summer are expected to be more than 10% higher than last summer and may exceed $3 per gal. in some parts of the U.S., the Energy Department estimates. Here's a look at why:

　　What's fueling the price rise Growing global demand and investors spooked by political tensions in the Middle East have pushed crude-oil prices up. Gasoline production in the U.S. is down 9% compared with 2005, as hurricane-damaged refineries struggle to return to full production. Finally, changes in energy laws are prompting fuel suppliers to use corn-based ethanol as an additive，instead of the additive MBTE, which has health risks.

　　Do higher prices help anyone Oil companies are tallying record-high profits. Their execs are cashing in too. ExxonMobil disclosed last week that Lee Raymond, who retired as its CEO in January, earned $69.7 million--$190,000 a day--in 2005.

　　Are people cutting back on driving Apparently not. The Energy Department predicts U.S. motorists' total gasoline usage this summer will be 1.5% higher than in 2005 because of a growing economy and more cars on the road.

　　油泵带来的痛苦

　　司机的坏消息：今年夏天油价预计比去年同期高出１０％。能源部预计在美国有些地方每加仑汽油的价格可能超出３美元。在这里让我们来看看原因：

　　什么因素促使油价上涨？世界范围内对石油需求的增加以及投资者对于中东紧张局势的担忧推动了原油价格的上涨。即使是遭飓风损坏的炼油厂全力以赴以恢复满负荷生产的情况下，相比２００５年美国汽油的产量还是下降了９％。最后，能源法律的修改促使供应商放弃对健康有害的ＭＢＴＥ添加剂而使用从玉米中提取的乙醇作为添加剂。

　　什么人从高油价收益？石油公司正在盘点着创纪录的利润。公司的高层也受益匪浅。埃克森美孚公司上周透露，一月份刚退休的首席执行官李·雷蒙德２００５年的收入是６９７０万美元，每天进账１９万美元。

　　人们是否会少开车？显然不会。能源部预测，由于经济的增长和更多的汽车上路，今年夏天美国驾车族消耗的汽油总量将比２００５年高１．５％。