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Gas prices on the rise
Published Monday, June 15, 2009
Gas prices are on the rise once again despite the fall in crude oil prices on Monday. The price per barrel is currently at $70.62 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, which is down 3 percent in the last two days.
The Southern Pantry 8 on U.S. Highway 80 East has the lowest gas prices in Selma at $2.49 per gallon, although the store has seen a 9-cent rise in prices in just the last week.
This sudden rise in gas prices has area residents searching for the best deal.
Although The Southern Pantry 8 has the lowest price in the area, people still brave the lines at the Murphy USA station, which is adjacent to Wal-Mart, to fill up.
“I don’t always come to Wal-Mart for my gas, but I saw it was four cents cheaper than another gas station,” Barbara Williams said. “I decided to come here since it was cheaper.”
Some customers, like Edna Woods, stopped by Murphy USA due to its location.
“I didn’t pay much attention to the price,” she said. “I had to go to Wal-Mart anyway so I stopped here for gas.”
Other convenience stores have recently seen a double-digit increase in their gas prices.
The Plantersville Service Station has seen prices jump 15 cents in the past week and is currently at $2.69.
There may be some hope in sight, but with prices expecting to peak in the next couple of days, many gas stations have no idea what gas prices will be like tomorrow or a week from now because each day these stations get the new price list from suppliers.
Lowell Butts, the manager at Crossroads Exxon on U.S. Highway 80 West, says relief may not be seen until late into the summer.
“Gas will probably go up until after the Fourth of July,” said Butts.
With prices rising steadily, drivers often try to save every ounce of gas that they can. The Federal Trade Commission website says that going the regulated speed and keeping tires properly aired and aligned can help save drivers money, as well as changing the filters in the vehicle.
Combined, these tips can save a driver over 13 percent in gas mileage.
According to the Alabama AAA, the average cost to fill up a 15-gallon gas tank is $39.06, up from the last month’s price of $33.89. Last year, the average was $24.75 to fill up.
The national average is currently at $2.67 per gallon. The national average from 6 months ago was $1.64. There has been a 60 percent increase in prices so far this year.
The most expensive gas in the area is located at the Petro Food and Gas on U.S. Highway 80 East, priced at $2.71 per gallon.
Huntsville has the lowest gas prices in Alabama with several stores offering gas at $2.35 per gallon.
AP and Katie Nichols contributed to the story.
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Comments
Posted by concerned (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 6:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the blame for oil and gas prices should be placed on Pres. Oboma. It was Pres. Bush's fault before, so turn around is fair play.
Posted by I_saw_what_you_did_in_Selma (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gas/oil prices are so arbitrary. There is no rhyme or reason to the variations. You can't tell me it has to do with the summer driving season or anything else for that matter. Even if oil doubles in price, gasoline shouldn't because not all of the cost of gasoline is the oil. The refineries don't pay their employees more, the overhead at the gas stations isn't more, etc.
I've never understood why people will sit in long lines or drive across town to save 4-cents/gallon. Even if you have a whopping 20-gallon tank, we are talking less than $1 difference in price. Time is worth more than that.
Posted by tomt01 (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Look at the profits the oil companies make. There are no shortages, no more driving than usual, it's just plain ole greed. The all mighty dollar......
The big jump last year is most of what put us over the top as far as the recession. People having to pay $4.00 and up for gas....
Greed, that's all it is.
Posted by bunnyk (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't worry. Obama will fix it!!-lol
Posted by tomt01 (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not only did it hurt us as individuals, but look at the Cities, Counties, School Systems, etc that had to pay the higher fuel prices. They had to suffer as well, which comes right back on us as tax payers.
In 1992 I bought a new GEO Metro that would get 48 - 50 miles to a gallon. What happen to those vehicles?
Now it seems we can't get that kind of mileage unless it is a hybrid. I have questions???????
Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerned, I agree! Just one more example of greed for money, power, etc!
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mmmmmmm. Let me see here. Summer is here so magically the numbers go UP. In a depression like economy, the Amercian citizens are strongarmed AGAIN to pay these high gas prices...all while groceries are up, taxes are up, clothes are up, everything is UP. When this government wants to actually do something for the people, then REGULATE these oil companies RIPPING us a new one. These companies have no justifcation to these ups and downs of prices. They are pure speculation and nothing more than a scam.
When one of the last hurricanes come through the Gulf and MISSED the Texas Boarder and the ocean rigs....the prices flew WAY up a day or two before. WHY? Nothing changed. Because they thought the rigs would be out of commission, they felt the need to shoot the prices UP out of speculation of the supply and demand for gas? There was NO NEW DEMAND. It's a scam!!!!
Posted by boob (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Your story was interesting, but it would be more interesting to read why the prices in Selma are higher than
surrounding towns, such as Montgomery and Prattville. We are at least ten cents higher per gallon. This is according to FUEL ME UP.com gas prices chart, as well as personal experience by purchasing gas there. People from Selma shop and work in these cities, and now they also purchase their gas there because of the prices. Come on Selma get competitive! It helps us all.
Posted by bunnyk (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally agree with the last comment. Selma always has higher gas prices. It really makes you wonder.
Posted by bama (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just cut out a couple of meals dining out to cover the difference in fuel.
Posted by SonofKhabibulin (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can someone check the gas taxes for Selma & dc????
I believe at one time Those were quite a bit more than Montgomery,tuscaloosa & prattville,etc Seems like it was 4cents city & 4 cents county.....
I drove thru Auburn & Mobile greenville in the last 2 nites & saw 2.70's so I would disagree that Selma has the highest prices.
The expense for freight may also need to be considered....I think the closest terminal for a dallas county location would be in Mtgy.
Those 18 wheelers cost a lot to operate & insure.
Another factor to consider is what you are putting in your tank...is it the wal-mart mess or real gasoline?
Just thinking!
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