Washington DC - Fossil fuel companies like Exxon, BP, and Shell have made a killing out of the price explosions at the pump to make $174 billion in the first nine months of 2021, according to the Guardian.

Exxon Mobile actually had its most profitable quarter since 2017, with a 60% increase in third-quarter profits compared to the same period last year, as reported by Reuters.

BP also took home huge earnings from fossil fuel products this year, and the company's CEO, Bernard Looney, said the "rising commodity prices certainly helped."

The fossil fuel industry is actually leasing over 22 million acres of onshore and offshore US government property without using it, but the blame game is definitely aimed at the companies which aren't adding new production to meet demand.

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Instead, the industry is using the profits to pay out to shareholders or even buy back shares.

The fingers are also pointing at the White House, because despite President Joe Biden's efforts to curb fossil fuel use, CO2 emissions, and end the Keystone XL Pipline, the president also gave the go-ahead on new leases for oil and gas projects, and is now asking for an increase in fossil fuel production.

Gas prices are still up over 50% compared to December 2020, despite a recent price drop due to President Biden's decision to release 50 million barrels of stockpiled oil.

Even though the president made the move to lower prices, the price of gas is still so high compared to last year that it leaves many people with no choice but to pay more expensive visits to the gas station.