2008.09.15
Sticker shock from gas prices isn't over
Sticker shock. That was the feeling that much of the country, including the Roanoke Valley, had last Friday when gasoline prices shot up in at least 20 cent increments throughout the day.
It’s not over. If you thought fuel prices rose to the highest peak possible last weekend, don’t hold your breath. Average prices are likely to move to $4 a gallon this week, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Most oil refineries in the Gulf Coast have not yet resumed power and assessed wind and water damage, in the wake of Hurricane Ike. It could be three weeks before they are back in operation, states a news release from AAA Mid-Atlantic, based in Richmond.
Also, there are power supply issues for Gulf Coast pipelines carrying crude oil and refined products in other parts of the country.
AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts that September will be a “problem-prone” month for fuel prices and supplies.
Today, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Roanoke is $4.13, compared with $3.54 a week ago and $2.62 a year ago, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
We had a station in my area charge $5.79 Friday night, I'm assuming so they would still have gas in their storage tanks come today (which they do) Meanwhile, I counted 4 stations completely out, and 2 stations partially out of gas this morning on my commute, with 4 that appeared to still have all grades of gas. Prices are in the 3.79 to 4.19 range toda, but I suspect they'll go much higher.
Comment by Other John — September 15, 2008 @ 10:16 am
The price of gas has gotten ridiculous! I couldn't believe it when I was driving home on Friday evening all of the people who were stopped at the pumps, with four and five people behind them trying to fill their tanks and then gas stations completely taking advantage of those people by raising gas prices to obscene levels. The government needs to step in because the citizens are being fleeced and the CEOs and other executives of the major oil companies are the ones that stand to gain by doing stuff like this. When gas station employees were interviewed on Friday night by local news stations, they said that they received a call from corporate to continue to increase the price. I feel extremely bad for the single parents out there that are working minimum wage jobs. How do they make it? You've got to get to work somehow. They probably don't even make enough for a gallon of gas. Where does it stop? Does it stop when everyone is foreclosed upon and living out in the streets because just basic living essentials cost so much more. I sure hope the next President is able to fix this situation because our economy is going into the dumper - really fast and it scares me not only for my future but the future of my children.
Comment by A Concerned Citizen — September 15, 2008 @ 11:22 am
This should be a MOST responded to topic!!!
Government intervention has always been a 'worst case scenario', but now is the time, sadly.
Enough already, gee, the weather looks gloomy, let's raise the price of fuel, already in the ground, already purchased! If this isn't gouging I don't know what you'd call it.
I needed gas on Friday & knew it when I drove in to work. No idea they were going to get crazy by the time I finished my day.
Price was the same Sunday afternoon, although I did see one station in Salem with regular @ $5.oo + per gallon. The place was deserted.
Do tell, when will these hideous profits be reinvested in additional refineries, drilling, and alternative fuel sources???
Tax these windfall profits, "or" better yet, give the gas companies a break for drilling and development. Make that an "AND". If they drill, then the money won't be paid into taxation, but instead spent on development.
It's not the president, it's congress, and our "elected" representatives.
p.s. If I'm not mistaken, Virginia has a law already on the books, that if the selected service station does not receive a fuel shipment, then they cannot raise the price of fuel already at that location. Jenny, can you confirm or deny that???
Comment by Steve — September 15, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
The price of oil is lower than it has been in eight months. Yet even before this we were still paying about a dollar more. We can understand some increase with the storm and the shut down of refineries. But the stations that shot up to $5 and above is just simply gouging. Why are they so much higher than a station less than a mile down the road that is at least a $1 less? Sure hope they do there job on this anti-gouging law.
While on the subject of gas has anyone had troubles with BP gas? I have purchased it before for both vehicles I own and never had a problem. Until I topped off my truck at the BP on 9th street in SE Friday. It stalls, cuts out and hardly wants to run. Mostly when I first start out but will clear up for the most part but never runs as good as it did before I got gas there. It a early 90's chevy and I have put BP in before with no problem. Sounds like water to me but had someone say something about the ethanol content in the gas. It was 93 so maybe because it's the less sold gas. Truck has always ran better off 93 is why it was put in. I have never purchased gas at this location before.
Comment by Mike D — September 15, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
I've never had a problem with BP gas. In fact, BP is the main gas station I go to, simply because of all the top oil companies they give more money towards alternative energy sources than any other.
Anyway, my car has always run fine on it.
I am thinking maybe you got ahold of a bad batch? Perhaps it got contaminated somehow?
I am glad I filled up before Friday. The people all lined up at gas stations like the crazies at the grocery store to get milk and eggs before a snowfall were all mad and causing backups everywhere.
I am trying to use the minimal amount of gas I need to get around.
Comment by Rigby — September 15, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
Mike, I think just about every station has gone to 10% ethanol now, so that likely would not be the direct cause. But, I have heard that the ethanol breaks down over time, creating a bit of a sludge that can cause the problems you mentioned. It would be plausible then that when you bought 93, if it was somewhat stale, that you pumped some of that sludgey product, causing your running problems. As for the other posts, those kinds of Federal government involvements in the oil/gas/energy sectors will lead to nationalization of the whole industry. Do we really want the Feds running our oil industry? Look at how miserable Social Security, Medicare, and everything else is that the Feds are involved in. Do we really want them controlling how we all get to work every day? I don't want that...the thought scares me more than paying $5 or more for gas.
Comment by Other John — September 15, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
I admit to only half listening... on the radio this morning they said you could call and report price gauging and gave a number. However, someone from that office said that this hike in gas price was not gauging because it was the manufactures who upped the price therefore making the service stations have to up theirs and that the manufactures had a right to up the price because of Ike.
Comment by Dana — September 15, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
I thought I read on a local station's page that it IS considered gauging because technically we are still under a state of emergency from Hanna or something like that.
When I left work Friday Sheetz on Apperson was madness! I stopped at Shell in Salem as they had 3.99 regular and no waiting for their pumps. They are still at that price as of last evening, yet the station across the street (citgo? im not sure) is over 5.
We are on a tight budget and this has already affected us A LOT. My husband gave up his vehicle almost 3 months ago and started to ride his bike to work cuz we just couldnt afford to pay for 2 car payments if we were only using one due to gas prices anyway. When is it going to end? I feel like "they" know we need cars to get to most places (especially with a child) so they can just up the prices and people will pay because we need it.
It angers me a great deal.
Comment by Amy — September 15, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I have no problem with the station owners charging what would cover their expense, however the prices were sky-rocketing when the stations were obviously still pumping the gas they purchased earlier in the week at lower prices. And what about the consumer? I saw numerous cars waiting in gas lines, engines idling with the A/C on. How much gas did they waste to wait for over-priced gas? Have some self-control over your use of gas! Yes, you must go to work and the cover the basic needs of your family, but don't plan a trip to the lake or cruise around town shopping if you don't have the gas!
Comment by Dawn — September 15, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
I filled up at the Sheetz at the corner of Apperson Drive and Electric Road late Friday night for $3.79.
I thought an article in the Times several days ago was interesting. Something to the effect of despite increasing gas prices drivers still speed around. And they do, I see it everyday.
I have noticed a substantial savings in fuel consumption by accelerating and driving slowly (ie. going the speed limit) and using the A/C sparingly.
If/when the price increases over $6-7 I may start biking to work.
Comment by Steve H — September 16, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I can empathize with you guys tightening up and urging others to.
Even if gas prices dropped below $3.00 a gallon(which it won't ever again), I still will continue to conserve as I do.
I want to permanently tighten up my dependence on oil.
Not saying " Hug a tree and don't drive at all!" by any means, but the price increases of gasoline in recent years have permanently changed how I view oil dependence.
Comment by Rigby — September 16, 2008 @ 9:48 am
Update. I change the fuel filter today and the tank side was full of murky fuel. This is water mixed in. Truck runs much better but not 100%. Put in a can of sea foam and will change the fuel filter again after I drive it a bit. I will not buy from THAT BP again. Never had an issue with the other locations. Who should I contact on this issue?
Comment by Mike D — September 17, 2008 @ 6:53 pm