Symbolically a giant wind turbine turns a couple blocks away Turbines generate low-cost energy, but there aren’t enough of them. Federal policy under Trump has thwarted growth of the wind, solar and nuclear alternatives.
At $3.999 in Lewiston, within one-10th of a penny of $4 at the only fueling station in the geographical center of Winona County. Stations elsewhere in the county are lagging a tad in $3.94 range but moving higher. National average: $4.44 varying largely because of state tax rates. Highest: $6-plus in California. Image: Steve Lunde
Analysis: Are we doom-bound? Data gloomy
Why are fuel prices at record highs? Where will this end?
> President Trump has been intent on protecting the 19th century fossil-fuel industry by discouraging expansion of alternative energy sources The result: Oil companies are swimming in profits. In its latest quarter ExxonMobil reported record revenue of $83 billion. Well-heeled investors in oil companies — the billionaire category — are major political donors.
> Recent negative effects of U.S oil-dependence include Spirit Airlines. The company has grounded its 125-plane fleet in bankruptcy because of fuel costs and laid off 17,000 employees.
> To pay for fuel, airlines have hiked fares substantially and suspended flying some routes entirely. This portends debilitating downward impact on the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.
>Trump has ended tax incentives for people to buy electric-powered cars. Only 2% to 3% of U.S. cars are electric. In China, the world’s largest producer of electric cars, new car sales of electrics have passed 50%. Electric sales have swelled in Europe. Norway is at 50% plus.
> The Trump war against Iran has dislocated oil supplies globally with virtually no tanker ships in or out of the Hormuz Strait in and its Arabian refineries.
> Concomitant with the price of gasoline, diesel fuel reached $5.59 a gallon at the dominant Kwik Trip stations in Winona County. This is at a difficult point for mechanized farmers to find financing for their 2026 crops. The upshot: Inevitable hikes for already through-the-roof grocery prices.
> The outlook for many farmers is bleak. In heavily agricultural Iowa, bankruptcies by family farmers have tripled, up 229%.
> Also affecting the agricultural industry: A global shortage of essential ingredients for fertilizers from the Middle East. The Trump Iran war has blockaded nitrogen-carrying ships inside the Hormuz Strait.