It seems like the other day someone posted that gasoline prices were supposed to be dropping. Here in Northern AZ, they haven't dropped at all. Regular (87 octane) still $1.69, Plus $1.79, Premium at $1.89.

I was just up in Las Vegas yesterday, and they haven't dropped in that area either. Still Regular $1.87, Plus $1.97, Premium $2.07.

I'm also still hearing crys of anguish from Northern CA.

Who says that prices are dropping? Maybe in the less "managed" markets.

-- Flash (flash@flash.hq), April 02, 2000

Answers

It seems to depend on where you live. Here in North East Texas, the price of the cheap stuff is $1.37. A month or so ago it was $1.55 or something at the same station. A new station is almost completely built now, right across the street from the other one. I wonder if there will be a mini price-war once it opens.

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.thingee), April 02, 2000.

If you're lucky, Anita.

They could get together and agree to raise rates.... especially if there are no other stations nearby to compete with....

-- beano is good (gas@great.pain), April 02, 2000.

The cheapest gas in town--87 octane--is now $1.43.9 That is down from a high of $1.55.9 a week ago. This is in north central Pennsylvania.

-- Pam (jpjgood@penn.com), April 02, 2000.

Yesterday in Wimberly,Tx reg. unleaded was $1.259; Oakhill,Tx(Austin,Tx) same gas was $142.9

-- george (jones@choices.com), April 02, 2000.

Anita,

You're undoubtedly right. The question is "why are they still high in some areas and dropping in others"? I suspect that if you live near a fully functioning refinery, you are probably forutnate. Not to many refineries in AZ or NV, and a lot of the ones in CA seem to be "on the fritz".

-- Flash (flash@flash.hq), April 02, 2000.

Our's here in Missouri are generally similar to those in Anita's Texas. Shell is now 1.34/gal:self-serve [we no longer have full service stations, so this is not a meaningful distinction]. That's down from 1.54/gal 2 weeks ago, and up from 1.06 on 2 Jan 00. It has been dropping for two weeks. I think it is part of the soak California movement. That's ok, salaries are higher there.

Best wishes,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 02, 2000.

Here in my part of Missouri, gas was $l.43 a week ago. I don't think that's so bad. After all our gas is cheaper than many other countries.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), April 02, 2000.

Flash:

I remember reading [and posting on the old TB2000 forum] information about 1996 and California's refinery problems. I had to think that some Californians were grateful that the heating oil problems this year were pretty much [although not COMPLETELY] isolated to the Northeastern states. It seems California TYPICALLY gets the short straw when it comes to energy.

I haven't read all the sub-links in this one, but it could give you a starting point to understanding regional price differences.

California Case Study

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.thingee), April 03, 2000.