Some claims making the rounds on social media start with an observation that is basically correct: crude oil was more expensive after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 than it is today, yet diesel prices are now higher. The conclusion often attached to that comparison is that refiners must be gouging consumers. It sounds plausible because crude oil is the main raw material used to make diesel. But it leaves out the critical part of the market that has become the real bottleneck: refining. As of September 20, AAA put the national average diesel price…