Higher energy prices continue to squeeze Americans at the gas pump, lift their heating bills and drive up the price of airfare.
Since the war in Iran began in late February, constraining the global supply of oil, energy prices have soared. Overall, energy prices were up 5.2 percent in September from the month before, and 20.4 percent higher compared with a year ago, according to the Consumer Price Index Report.
Consumers have felt this surge most acutely at the gas station, where the price of gasoline was 34 percent higher than a year ago. According to the AAA motor club, the average price of a gallon of regular gas was $4.33 on Wednesday, slightly up from a month ago, and more than 40 percent higher than at this point last year.
The average price of diesel, which powers trucks, farm equipment heavy machinery and trains, and is lingering near record highs. On Wednesday, it was $6.30, 72 percent higher than a year ago.
Heating oil prices have also climbed sharply since the war began, which will weigh heavily on Americans, especially in the northeast, as colder weather moves in. The national average has soared to $6.04 a gallon, up from $4.10 the week before the war started, according to weekly data from the Energy Information Administration.
Surging fuel costs have pushed up airline fares, which were 1.2 percent higher in September and 22.4 percent higher than at this point last year.
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