Nevadans blame Biden, COVID-19, Russia for record-high gas prices

Biden among factors Nevadans listed for surging gas prices

Nevadans pointed to a variety of issues they felt were causing gas prices to surge, including President Joe Biden's policies, the pandemic and Russia.

"He shut off the pipeline day one. Why?" said a lifelong Nevadan, Shelley, referring to Biden’s executive order canceling the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. She blamed the president and his environmental policies for raising gas prices.

"Truckers aren't going to be able to afford diesel to bring stuff to the store," Shelley told Fox News.

The Biden administration has repeatedly halted or pulled oil and gas leases and permits. Meanwhile, the president recently pressed fuel makers to increase their output and accused the energy companies of profiteering.

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Gas station in Las Vegas

A Chevron gas station in Las Vegas, Nevada, with sky-high fuel prices. (Fox Digital / Fox News)

"We were the United States of America. We were the greatest country in the world," Shelley said. "Now we're the laughingstock."

The average cost for a gallon of fuel in Nevada was $5.675 Thursday, a nearly 55% jump from a year ago and a record high in the state. Gas in the state cost about 67 cents more than the national average and is the second most expensive in the country behind California. 

"It’s astronomical; it's ridiculous," one Las Vegas resident said. "We know that it’s about the war, but what are you going to do?"

The White House has repeatedly blamed Russia's invasion of Ukraine for surging gas prices. But one man, Monty, said "the people in Washington" caused the high gas prices. 

Another Las Vegas local, Margaret, blamed the global coronavirus pandemic for the skyrocketing fuel prices.

"When COVID hit, it just wrecked everything," she told Fox News. "I think no matter who was in office at that time, you would have had the same results."

"I feel pain in my car. I feel pain at the grocery store. I feel pain from the flights," she said. "My daughter moved to Tennessee, and I would love to go see her, but who knows?" she added.

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Welcome to Las Vegas sign

"Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign on a bright day. (Fox News Digital/Teny Sahakian / Fox News)

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Another man spoke about changes he's made as a result of surging costs.

"I'm looking at the gas prices and, well, my wife and I were going to take two vacations this year," Joe told Fox News. Now, "we'll just take one."

Still, he didn't point fingers.

"I've been around a long time. I've seen this stuff happen," Joe said. "You have inflation, you have recession."

Gas prices sign shows gas at nearly $7 per gallon

A gas station sign shows regular gas at nearly $7. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File / AP Newsroom)

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"People get all bent out of shape over these cycles, which nobody really has control over," he added. "We'd like to think our politicians could control the world, but they can't."

One woman, Tatiana, similarly said: "It is what it is. We're helping a whole other country, we're in debt. It's a lot of stuff going on."

"What are we going to do? Stop driving?" she continued.