The Selma Times-Journal

Gas prices around Selma are falling, as an unofficial poll of prices at the pump indicate.

United Food & Fuel, located at 406 U.S. Hwy. 80

E. which flies the CITGO banner, had the lowest prices in town, as the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded sold for $2.54 a gallon. Mid-grade sold for $2.64 and premium $2.74 a gallon.

Louis Doss, United manager, said they try to make it a point to keep prices down, however, for the most part the price of gas is out off their hands.

“It depends on how much a barrel of oil goes for, and that’s traded every day,” Doss said. “We’re going to try to be the cheapest.”

The reasons for cost fluctuations around the city and state are numerous, and they all affect the cost of what consumers pay at the pump. One is the market, as more stations mean more competition.

Another is the amount of fuel in their underground tanks, which may determine how much fuel is purchased by the vendor, which affects how much vendors need to sell their gas

for to maintain desired margins of cost and profit, Doss said.

“Competition also has a lot to do with it, which may explain why gas prices are different in Birmingham and Montgomery. There’s more competition in the larger cities, whereas gas prices may be higher in smaller towns like Marion and Camden,” Doss said. “We can also expect gas to be higher around holidays. It’s just always is.”

Gas prices Wednesday in Selma at the BP on Medical Center Pkwy., were $2.59 per gallon for regular, $2.69 for mid-grade and $2.81 per gallon for premium. Prices at Raceway on Highland Ave. were $2.59 per gallon for regular unleaded, $2.69 per gallon for mid-grade, and $2.79 for premium Wednesday morning. By late afternoon, prices had fallen 3 cents a gallon.

Gasoline prices at the Chevron Food Mart at Jeff Davis and Broad St. are $2.70 for regular, $2.80 for mid-grade and $2.90 for premium. Prices at the Shell on Highland were $2.64 a gallon for regular, $2.74 a gallon for mid-grade and $2.84 a gallon for premium. The Broad Street Shell at Furniss Avenue posted regular unleaded at $2.67. Mid-grade was $2.77 per gallon and $2.87 for premium on Wednesday.