Re: Fuel Prices

[Greg Brown <gregb@alaskapacific.edu>]

P C wrote:

> Old subject but just gotta raise it one more time.  The station right
> down the street from my residence here in San Antonio has:
>
> Regular @ 89.9 per gallon
> Mid-Grade @ 94.9
> Premium @ 99.9
>
> While home over Thanksgiving I noticed Moscow's regular was at or around
> $1.39.9 per gallon with Mid-Grade and Premium significantly higher.
> Delivery charges?  Paid a visit to friends in CDA and noticed their
> prices were an average of 10 cents for more per gallon lower than
> Moscow.  Somthing's not quite right.

    In Alaska, the lowest rate right now is $1.41.  Much West Coast
oil comes from Alaska. Your oil (gas) may originate here.  It still has
to be transported, refined, and distributed.  How is it that Alaska gas is
more expensive than anywhere else in the country, including Moscow?

     Alaska business interests claim it is the forces of supply and
demand at work...not enough demand to drive prices down.  Economists
would say there are market imperfections (lack of competitive
forces).  Conspiracists would say it is the economic elite squeezing
the little guy.  Pick your interpretation.

--
Greg Brown (gregb@alaskapacific.edu)
Associate Professor and Chair
Environmental Science Dept.
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, AK  99508
(907) 564-8267  FAX: (907) 562-4276