Trump administration urges U.S. refineries to boost output to curb gasoline prices

In a bid to temper rising gasoline costs before the upcoming midterm elections, the Trump administration has called on U.S. refineries to expand output despite current utilization rates of roughly 96.5%, according to the Energy Information Administration. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted that foreign refineries, particularly in the Middle East, are operating with limited capacity, while Ukrainian strikes on Russian plants have further tightened global supplies.

Executives from firms such as Chevron and Exxon argue their facilities are already at peak levels, but officials hope additional domestic fuel will bring prices, now averaging $4.06 per gallon, down. President Donald Trump has framed modest price increases as a necessary trade-off for national security, and analysts estimate Americans are spending hundreds of millions more on gasoline each week. The article also details Hurricane Lala’s impact on Hawaii, where heavy rains and winds left over 100,000 customers without power and caused billions in damage.