I really am not an expert. It was an off-hand comment. The government has some control over regulations on industry, the value of the dollar, the workings of the commodities market, and many other factors that I assume can effect the price of oil - at least for a short period of time. I think they have a reserve, which to my knowledge they have not used. That would directly control the price of gas at the consumer level. That vague analysis is as deep as I can go. (But just like everything else when it comes to our government, even the most educated citizen doesn't have all the information.) I'm still not surprised that gas prices have gone down as the election has gotten closer.
They will always go down after September for a variety of reasons. First, when a futures market for gasoline was developed, the price would go up and down based on the fear of short-term disruption due to a hurricane in the gulf. Once hurricane season is over, that fear dissipates (until next year). Second, demand goes down after Labor day. Third, during the summer, gasoline as some more additive added that is either expensive by itself or expensive to formulate. The new formulation cuts down on the amount of fuel that evaporates in the heat. There may be other additives that states require to cut down on smog; I'm not sure. So next June the price will rise again. Anyway, that's as far as I know.
If you're going to say the government manipulates gas prices, you should show how. Regulations have increased the cost of gas. Mandates of ethanol and winter/summer hybrids in our gasoline restricts the supply in certain areas and causes the price to increase. As for the value of the dollar, the US has been pursuing policies (such as low interest rates and pumping more dollars in the economy) that devalue the dollar. Since oil is priced in dollars, the same barrel of oil will cost more in dollars. Workings of the commodity market? What does that mean? Oil is traded globally. The only way the government can reduce gas prices in the short-term is by reducing gas taxes. We know that isn't happening.
It makes me feel better when I can blame gas prices on the Boogey Man. I can't wait until hurricane season starts so I can blame "price gougers" again.
