Reasons for high gas prices on Iwakuni add up, officers say

Reasons for high gas prices on Iwakuni add up, officers say
By Travis J. Tritten, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, October 23, 2008

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — For a time earlier this year, drivers here paid some of the lowest gas prices in the region.

But the cheap ride is over — the price at Iwakuni’s pump has held at $4.53 per gallon of unleaded since July and is now the most expensive gas stop among Pacific bases, even as prices have plummeted in Korea, Guam and stateside.

The cost is causing some grumbling and was slated for discussion at the air station’s annual town hall meeting from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday.

"Why are we paying more than Americans? We are Americans, too," said Lance Cpl. William Higgins, who was filling his tank at the base Monday. "All the bases in Japan and Okinawa are paying less, so why are we paying so much?"

Overall, the air station has been mostly immune to the week-to-week roller coaster ride of fuel prices over the past year due to its Marine Corps Community Services supply and pricing system, which is different than the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the Navy Exchange, air station officials said this week.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58308



uhc comment: Cost of gas at a local station in Boston yesterday: $2.6999 for regular unleaded.