HOUSTON, Texas — Filling orders for flower arrangements means constantly filling up the tank for Elaine’s Florist & Gift Baskets.
The Meyerland-based business delivers all over the Houston area.
"Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena," said owner Elaine Nevarez. "We go up to Spring, out to Katy.”
Nevarez showed us where she’s paying about 50% more for fuel compared to last year.
She said it affects suppliers and others as well. And that can often be passed to consumers.
"Some of the orders, we wire out to shops in those areas so that we don’t have to make the trek there and back," said Nevarez.
She’s optimistic about the decision to release oil from the nation’s strategic reserves amid the surge in gas prices.
It's something some experts predict might lower prices five to 15 cents per gallon in the coming days and weeks.
“I’m hoping that happens," said driver Ernest Johnson. "Because I do have to drive a long way for work. So it would help a lot.”
We watched him pay $71.85 to fill up his pickup truck.
“I’m fortunate I don’t have to put a lot of miles on and spend a lot of money," said driver Nancy Allan. "But I know a lot of people do, and that’s hard.”
"It hurts when you have to fill it up and see 70 bucks," said driver Jim Hudek. "You go 'ouch man I’ll just put 30 in today and let it go.' Everybody wants to see lower gas prices."
Tapping into oil reserves usually happens after things like hurricanes.
But prices at the pump may be an emergency for many Americans and worth some sort of action.
"I definitely I hope that gas prices are coming down," said Nevarez.
Don’t expect to see a drastic reduction in time for Thanksgiving travel.
But it may happen in time for Christmas or New Year’s.
