Texas gas prices near record high for Labor Day

Texas gas prices near record high for Labor Day

Compiled from staff and wire reports

Saturday, August 30, 2003

HOUSTON -- The average statewide price of gasoline went up 7 cents in the past week to $1.60 for self-serve regular, while the U.S. average hit a new record on Friday of $1.74 a gallon, beating a record price of $1.72 set in March.

But the statewide price jump to near-record levels is unlikely to deter Texans from hitting the highways during the Labor Day weekend, AAA Texas said Friday.

"In all, more than 2.5 million Texans will take a trip 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday, up slightly less than 1 percent compared to last year," auto club spokeswoman Rose Rougeau said.

The average price, according to the auto club survey, is just short of the record $1.62 set in March. A year ago, gasoline in Texas averaged $1.33.
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/auto/epaper/editions/saturday/business_f305c468c2ad422a1011.html

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What price gouging of the consumer! :bounce:

at the cheaper places. Some are pushing $2.00.

Is it any wonder that this holiday weekend is set to be one of the most disappointing for the casinos in quite some time? I'm just imagining all the people from California and Arizona who normally flock here any chance they get saying "To hell with this! Gas is way too high!"

And the ripple effect just keeps on spreading....

at least that's what the signs I see have, but I don't own a car so gas prices only affect me indirectly

been worried about...

All those people with hummers must be so happy to fork over the extra cash to fuel em up...

for 'regular' on Central California Coast yesterday. Premium was $2.37, I believe. We are a tourist destination so our prices are always a bit higher. Wonder if we'll see the price come down after the holiday?

eom

Where the men are men, and the women are too! (And the sheep run scared!) You can always take the bus, or hitchhike! LIKE I DID!

:(

But it's 2.26 here in town, so that's not really that high for "on the road" gas.:(

Right now, unleaded regular is $1.47 to $1.55.

Someone has to keep these OIL-CEOs wallets well padded!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0831fuel31.html

<snip>

Data gathered by The Arizona Republic show that while crude oil prices rose only 4 cents between late July and Aug. 22, the prices tanker trucks paid at the fuel farm west of Phoenix rose dramatically, in some cases by 50 cents a gallon.

Most retailers passed on that increase but, with some notable exceptions, did not add substantially to the price they had to pay for the fuel.

So who made the profits?

Petroleum industry consultant and consumer advocate Tim Hamilton, a former service station owner from Olympia, Wash., said the answer to that question is relatively simple.

"Arco, Texaco and so on, those are your winners," he said. "When prices spike, the money goes right out of the Arizona economy and right into a Texas bank account for an oil company. If you don't stop oil companies from manipulating the market and controlling all the volume, then you end up with a real uncompetitive price."

<end snip>

Now, realistically, how many of us can just run right out and buy a new hybrid car? Some of us can't ride a bike or walk or even take public transportation to work -- or even car pool. Many of us conserve as much as possible, drive as fuel-efficient a vehicle as we can manage, but that doesn't hold the gougers accountable.

Blame to corporate kleptocrats who have kept us from having viable public transportation, who have opposed fuel efficiency standards, who have sprawled our cities so only those execs who can afford to work from home are able to live near their place of employment.

There are several thousand new homes being built within half a mile of my house; there are no new jobs being built within 20 miles of these houses. I do not know where the occupants will work wihtout having to drive. There is virtually no support in Arizona for the development of public transportation, yet there is outrage at the effects of the recent gas "crisis."

Go figure.

at least part of the time.
Really I know that does not help the ones who must.
But I think a class action suit against the SUV manufacturers would be a good start.

Also, next time your critter has a vote on fuel standards, public trans, amtrak, etc. Rattle their cage hard!

I ride a bike for most of my errands, and I have had a stroke and two heartattacks... If it didnt kill me, it probably wont kill others.

Car culture and sprawl are the American nightmare. We all are going to have to wake up one of these days, better sooner than later.

As I thought, Phoenix AM radio has tried to peg the fault on Napolitano. Grotesque as it sounds, the RW nuts are telling everyone that our verbose "Porky Pig" Hayworth had to "guide" her through this event. His sage advice making the difference. The only advice I would take from him is where the slop bucket was last seen.

On a general note concerning gas, the Phoenix metropolitan area will be rendered uninhabitable by 2040 therabouts. A massive campaign for the next big wave of freeway building, and get this...double-decking a freeway, has been officially set off by the Gannett/Channel 12/AZ Republic/Major home developers. The thing has to be seen to be believed. All car/no mass transit. The only exception being the light rail line that will be basically a bus and serve a very small area. The fact that it has to stop at traffic lights like other objects has mystified and confused the average Phoenician. They invision a bus like object that levitates at intersections.

Four million people are expected to arrive by 2040, adding to what we already have.

"Bringing life giving water to the Valley since before Statehood"..The Salt River Project

"Got gas and water?"

and this isn't a peek price - it's quite "normal" :)

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

and hang onto yourselves cause that Hungarian 4 dollars doesn't sound unrealistic.

How much will Americans pay before they SCREAM Bloody Murder!

I think we have a way bit more to go to people!

Tons of Cheap Oil from Iraq smuggled here being sold for Top Dollar

Oh the Massive amount of Greed is so Sad! :bounce:

We will be at $3.50 a gallon, nationwide. San Fran and San Jose will be at $4.
In fact, with the cost shifting and unfunded mandates, it could be far higher with state taxes.

Suburban homes will start to drop in value. New Urbanists will be the demographic trend. Greatest econ growth will be in cities with good public trans.

considering 1 gallon = 3.785 liter
Around 1/3 of the price goes to the oil company, 2/3 of the price
get's the state under different forms of fees, dutys, taxations, VAT...