VOA标准英语2012--Worries Boost Gasoline Prices and Stir Up US Politics

Worries Boost Gasoline Prices and Stir Up US Politics

U.S. gasoline prices are rising to a level that angers many motorists.

American Petroleum¹ Institute chief economist² John Felmy blames rising gasoline prices on rising demand for oil by major emerging nations. 

"There is no question that the developing countries use more oil than the developed countries now, and all the forecasts are for that to grow," said Felmy.

Changing fuel prices prompt big energy users such as airlines to purchase contracts that give them the right to buy fuel at a certain price at a certain date, making future costs more certain. But other investors³ buy and sell these futures⁴ contracts in search of profits, with no intention of taking delivery of the oil. 

Critics like Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation⁵ of America call these investors speculators and say when they pour money into a market, they hurt consumers by boosting demand. 

"Speculation⁶ has driven up the price of oil very substantially from $70 to over $100," said Cooper.

Cooper says better tax laws would calm markets by rewarding longer-term investments, while better regulation could limit the number of contracts a speculator could hold, and limit when they could make deals. 

But other experts say tensions with Iran over its suspected nuclear weapons program are raising prices because economic sanctions or military conflict could cut exports from this major oil producer. 

Mohsin Khan of the Peterson Institute for International Economics says fear of fuel shortages plays more of a role than speculation in current prices. 

He says Washington could ease prices by offering to tap the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to make up for supply shortages in the event of conflict with Iran. 

"I actually believe that if the United States did announce that they were going to start releasing some [oil] from their stocks, in the event Iranian oil was taken off the market, I believe prices would come down," said Khan.

Gasoline prices in some parts of the United States have gone over $4 a gallon, which is around $1.05 a liter. While that is below the price in many other nations, the rising cost adds up to a political issue. That is because the average American family uses about 3,000 liters a year, and many voters want action from elected officials. But economists⁷ say oil prices are set in the world market, and Washington can do little to change them in the short term. 

1 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

2 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

3 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

4 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

7 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》