Any theories as to why So. Maryland has lower prices than the rest of the state?
I dunno, but Southern Maryland has always been cheaper it seems. I know real estate is a lot cheaper down that way, so maybe that helps the gas stations pass on a bit of savings to the customers? Or perhaps the tax on gas is cheaper in those counties? It's a less affluent area down there as well, so maybe they figure they just can't milk the population like they do up here?
I think Southern Maryland also has a large long-distance commuter population, where people buy their homes down there because it's cheaper, but then drive a long commute to come up closer to the DC area. So maybe they keep prices lower in Southern MD to get the populace to fill up down there instead of up here?
Virginia tends to have lower gas prices as well, so I dunno if that might have some influence on the southern MD gas prices. Sure, there's a little river called the Potomac you have to cross to get there, but maybe a lot of people commute down that way, too?
As for delivery, I do remember that when I lived down there as a kid, we had a local oil company called Southern Maryland Oil that delivered our heating oil. Maybe there are local distributors down there for gasoline, as well, which help keep prices in check?
My statement about oil prices and the USA Average is about to be tested.
I said that at $60 oil, the USA average will not get below $2.25. Over the next few days we shall see. Oil prices have stopped coming down but gas so far has not.
Clicking on the individual states gives a basic graph of where average fuel prices have been the past month/year as well as comparisons between the averages now and a year ago.
Dropped $0.04 to $2.19 at my fav Shell station. Dumas, Walmart also is $2.19 ($2.16) with gift card. I forgot to look at the in town prices like Valero.
USA Average is up to $2.27 from a low of $2.26 last week.
First time in this massive drop over the last 5 weeks which I have seen the price go UP, even for a day.
Lowest in USA is still Staunton VA at $1.79
Phoenix is $2.07 - the lowest it's been since JANUARY 2005.
Opec ministers concerned:
Opec chief eyes output consensus as prices dip Published: Saturday, 7 October, 2006, 09:44 AM Doha Time LONDON: Opec’s president aims to secure a supply cut deal by Monday that will remove about 1mn bpd of crude from oversupplied markets and brake oil’s rapid decline. A drop of almost $20 in oil since mid-July and brimming fuel stockpiles around the world have already prompted six of Opec’s 11 members, including top exporter Saudi Arabia, to make voluntary cutbacks, said Opec President Edmund Daukoru. Iran, Opec’s second biggest producer, the United Arab Emirates – third largest – and Qatar have yet to make a public commitment. Iraq is not bound by Opec quotas and Indonesia is a net importer. “By Monday a consensus will emerge, I hope,” Daukoru, who is also Nigeria’s top oil official, told Reuters in a telephone interview. “We have to respect each member country’s views. The process of consultation is not a matter of a couple of hours.” He said there was no decision yet to hold an emergency meeting later this month ahead of a scheduled meeting on December 14 in Nigeria. A senior Opec delegate said on Thursday the group would remove 1mn bpd, or about 3.4% of total Opec supply, as soon as possible, in its first output cut since April 2004. Daukoru confirmed the reduction could reach that amount. “It could be a million (bpd),” he said.
You have to take into consideration that million barrels a day is world wide. Not just to the USA. I am not sure as of today how much is coming down the Alaska pipeline. It has a capacity of 2.2 million barrels a day. It has been averaging right at 1 million for the last several years. There is a lot of activity in new well production going on right now. It is not out of the realm of feasibility that BP & Conoco could make up any loss by OPEC. Of course they know that and it is part of the equation. I am still betting on $40 oil within the coming 6-12 months.
That is rare to see Seattle gas higher than San Diego. Or is there a big difference from stations around SeaTac and where you are located? Most ARCO and Costco are now at $2.37.
Seatac area might be in the range of 10-15 cents cheaper (same county though, and Bellevue has no special tax of its own on gas, so who knows what's behind that), nothing too significant. Mind you this was a Chevron price, other stations around here can get down to $2.60, but I just don't trust ARCO or Safeway, especially with my AMG car. Cheapos around Seatac area (Kent) are down to about $2.40.
My usual Sunoco truck stop, Palisades Park NJ. The irony? This is the first time in the 16 years I've been going to this station that they had signs up "NO GAS". I use diesel, I don't care
Price difference from September 22:
87 - $2.179 - down 22 89 - $2.279 - down 22 91 - $2.339 - down 22 93 - $2.379 - down 22 diesel - $2.399 - down 16
Tanked up for just $64... haven't spent that little in ages.
A reporter from a large daily newspaper is looking to speak to someone who is interested or has purchased an SUV within the past two weeks since gas prices have dropped. Please provide your daytime contact info to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Tuesday, October 10, 2006.
Ain't it grand? We may see $1.50 gas by Christmas. What a lovely present for the American public. It is good for the economy. Nothing good about high priced oil. Except in the oil patch and Exxon board room.
A lot of people, including myself, would disagree with that. While it certainly isn't good for the economy some of the consequences are definititely positive. For instance, more small, fuel efficient cars will be sold in the US this year than any other year. Okay, maybe you don't think that is a good thing. I feel that it is pretty clear the pace of R&D into alternative energy sources has accelerated in line with the higher fuel prices. This should expedite the day when we have the option of not paying anything for gas.
OH no my friend you will likely NEVER EVER see $1.50 gas in the USA again. Certainly not in CALI. Not as long as crude stays at $60, and OPEC has said it will keep it there. Slipped to $59.44 yesterday.
Gary says "nothing good about high priced oil"
That's not the case. Higher gas prices mean more people use public transportation, more people car pool, more people buy smaller more fuel efficient cars, and people buy more DIESEL engine cars. This leads to lower consumption and lessening of the effects of air pollution.
Gas hits $1.50 and that means more Sequoias, more 'Burbans, more Hummers on the road. Not good.
Sure it is! Maybe some of the taxes generated by those large vehicles will help keep hybrid incentives around, or at least keep politicians from taxing hybrids by mile
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Gas hits $1.50 and that means more Sequoias, more 'Burbans, more Hummers on the road. Not good.
Its already happening. Sales of trucks and SUVs increased significantly last month. The ultimate result is that we will consume our way back to higher prices.
It is a fact of life here in the USA. People want a better ride than they have. Going from a Sequoia to a Corolla is a big DOWNER. Many think they are saving by trading in a gas hog for a gas sipper. Then they are disappointed with the cramped lifestyle they have put themselves into.
Buying little Japanese cars is NOT good for our economy.
I think you have given OPEC a bigger stick than they have. They may have some control over the oil market. But not ultimate control. Notice how Iraq no longer fits in the OPEC picture. Same could happen to Saudi if the leadership were to fall from power.
That means there is no specific tax based on the actual engine size and displacement of the car you purchased. So a person who drives a subcompact with a lot of miles per day will pay more gasoline tax per day than a Hummer who only need to drive a couple of miles per day. Its more fair to charge tax based on the engine size rather than miles driven.
Its more fair to charge tax based on the engine size rather than miles driven.
Why? What are you attempting to accomplish? If the tax is to maintain the roads then it makes sense to charge per mile. If the tax is to reduce fuel consumption then it makes sense to charge per gallon. Charging a tax based on engine size will cost the person who drives his Hummer 30k miles a year the same as if he drove it 5k miles. That might discourage the initial purchase of this vehicle but after that this policy would have no further effect. I realize that they do this in other countries but it is usually in addition to high per gallon gas taxes.
"Its more fair to charge tax based on the engine size rather than miles driven."
You've an odd concept of fair.
Do you consider the PURPOSE of the gas tax to pay for the roads (a 'use tax') or is the purpose of the gas tax to act as a hammer for the government (or various social interest groups) to force 'good behavior' on the general population?
If the idea behind a 'gas tax' is to curb excessive gas consumption then......tax the consumption (gadzooks, what a novel idea). Seems fair to me.
to tax gasoline and vehicle usage. No matter what you do it's going to screw somebody. I think taxing how much you use is still the most equitable route, as it forces people who drive alot and/or having a gas guzzling vehicle to pay more.
On the downside, it does tend to hurt the poor the most.
I never understood the concept of basing a tax on engine displacement. Sometimes a larger engine can actually get better fuel economy than a smaller one, especially when you factor in people's driving habits. A Chevy Impala with a 3.5 that's driven mainly on the highway might get better fuel economy overall than a Toyota Corolla with a 1.8 or Yaris with a 1.5 or whatever that's driven only around town in local, short-trip driving.
>On the downside, it does tend to hurt the poor the most.
I've gotten really burned out on the concept that the poor must not need to pay taxes, whether it's Hillary campaigning or Bush talking about tax cuts for the wealthy that might help the poor.
If they can afford to drive, they can afford to pay the taxes for the cost of building, maintaining, and using the roads.
A tax for road usage should be based on weight (damage potential) of the vehicle and the number of miles driven.
I've gotten really burned out on the concept that the poor must not need to pay taxes, whether it's Hillary campaigning or Bush talking about tax cuts for the wealthy that might help the poor.
I'm not trying to sound like a bleeding heart tree hugger here, but this kind of stuff DOES tend to hurt the poor the most. And if someone's already stuck between a rock and a hard place, you're not going to be able to squeeze any more out of them without more serious repercussions, like them going on welfare, etc, which ends up costing the taxpayers money anyway.
As for a road usage tax, I do agree that the damage potential of the vehicle is a good way to go. However, it's not always directly related to weight. A bigger car might have larger tires, and therefore a larger footprint, so its PSI force on the road might actually be less damaging. And a larger car will most likely have a longer wheelbase and a wider track, keeping all four wheels further apart, further spreading the force over a wider area.
Besides, whether it's a t-ton Chevette, a 2-ton Crown Vic, or even a 3-ton Suburban is pretty irrelevant if these same roads are travelled by heavy duty trucks, buses, etc.
And I believe heavy-duty trucks, buses, etc, DO pay more in taxes, but I dunno if it's directly proportional to the amount of damage they do. Plus, we need those vehicles to deliver our goods and services, cart our brats off to school so they can supposedly get an education, etc...
Even the cheapest vehicle probably costs around $3k per year to operate. What about the poor person that can't afford that?
I play golf with a bunch of guys who's politics are extremely conservative. Often times discussions will take place regarding how the government needs to stop wasting money on welfare programs. Occasionally I'll bring up the idea of raising gas taxes as a part of an effective energy policy. Interestingly these guys all respond that it would be unfair to the poor. Oh yeah, they almost all drive full size trucks or SUVs. Hmmm... coincidence? Or maybe, is it possible they are expressing a self serving point of view and citing the poor to make their case more sympathetic? Naah.
Supply and demand has some stations around the metro moving up to $2.25 all at the same time, and around various parts of the city. I hit several corners shopping for which camera I want to buy.
Some stations in hot spots are at $1.99 and $2.03 type pricing. Different than the usual hot spots for low prices. That means they may be going to lower prices at the raised areas after the "restoration" for 24 hours. Even the local Wally World went up from $1.99 to $2.12 but not $2.25. They apparently don't have the same supply drummer to march to as other stations do.
Several Shell stations around the metro have been closed in last few weeks. Did Shell do a reduction in station numbers for Ohio?
Who thinks gas prices are going back up because of the North Korean nuclear test shot ? News report earlier today was another possible test shot, but now sources are saying it was a natural earthquake. I guess paying $2.19 a gal. was nice while it lasted. :sick:
In So. MD gas prices went up for the first time in months. It was only 3 cents to $2.05, which is still considerably cheaper than the national average. What I don't understand is that the price of premium at these stations is $2.45. I've never seen a 40 cent difference between regular and premium. What's that all about? Actually this isn't a totally new phenomena. For over a year now the price of premium has been 30 cents higher than regular. I travel quite a bit throughout the country and in other areas the difference is typically around 20 cents.
Comments
I dunno, but Southern Maryland has always been cheaper it seems. I know real estate is a lot cheaper down that way, so maybe that helps the gas stations pass on a bit of savings to the customers? Or perhaps the tax on gas is cheaper in those counties? It's a less affluent area down there as well, so maybe they figure they just can't milk the population like they do up here?
I think Southern Maryland also has a large long-distance commuter population, where people buy their homes down there because it's cheaper, but then drive a long commute to come up closer to the DC area. So maybe they keep prices lower in Southern MD to get the populace to fill up down there instead of up here?
Virginia tends to have lower gas prices as well, so I dunno if that might have some influence on the southern MD gas prices. Sure, there's a little river called the Potomac you have to cross to get there, but maybe a lot of people commute down that way, too?
As for delivery, I do remember that when I lived down there as a kid, we had a local oil company called Southern Maryland Oil that delivered our heating oil. Maybe there are local distributors down there for gasoline, as well, which help keep prices in check?
USA Average sits at $2.26.
My statement about oil prices and the USA Average is about to be tested.
I said that at $60 oil, the USA average will not get below $2.25. Over the next few days we shall see. Oil prices have stopped coming down but gas so far has not.
Futures price dips below $60:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/06/ap/business/mainD8KJ3KNG3.shtml
Here's a link I found that shows the averages for each state:
Fuel Price Averages
Clicking on the individual states gives a basic graph of where average fuel prices have been the past month/year as well as comparisons between the averages now and a year ago.
Rocky
89 was $2.17, 93 $2.27, and diesel $2.28.
I haven't paid this little since the first couple of days of 2006.
First time in this massive drop over the last 5 weeks which I have seen the price go UP, even for a day.
Lowest in USA is still Staunton VA at $1.79
Phoenix is $2.07 - the lowest it's been since JANUARY 2005.
Opec ministers concerned:
Opec chief eyes output consensus as prices dip
Published: Saturday, 7 October, 2006, 09:44 AM Doha Time
LONDON: Opec’s president aims to secure a supply cut deal by Monday that will remove about 1mn bpd of crude from oversupplied markets and brake oil’s rapid decline.
A drop of almost $20 in oil since mid-July and brimming fuel stockpiles around the world have already prompted six of Opec’s 11 members, including top exporter Saudi Arabia, to make voluntary cutbacks, said Opec President Edmund Daukoru.
Iran, Opec’s second biggest producer, the United Arab Emirates – third largest – and Qatar have yet to make a public commitment. Iraq is not bound by Opec quotas and Indonesia is a net importer.
“By Monday a consensus will emerge, I hope,” Daukoru, who is also Nigeria’s top oil official, told Reuters in a telephone interview. “We have to respect each member country’s views. The process of consultation is not a matter of a couple of hours.”
He said there was no decision yet to hold an emergency meeting later this month ahead of a scheduled meeting on December 14 in Nigeria.
A senior Opec delegate said on Thursday the group would remove 1mn bpd, or about 3.4% of total Opec supply, as soon as possible, in its first output cut since April 2004. Daukoru confirmed the reduction could reach that amount. “It could be a million (bpd),” he said.
Don't put TOO much money on that particular bet. OPEC is still the 800 pound gorilla, and they want oil above $60.
Seems unchanged...
Darn this blue state, even though I am in a painfully red neighborhood of it...
That revered supply and demand at work I am sure.
lemko, what are the slop prices this morning in your neck of the woods ?
Rocky
Price difference from September 22:
87 - $2.179 - down 22
89 - $2.279 - down 22
91 - $2.339 - down 22
93 - $2.379 - down 22
diesel - $2.399 - down 16
Tanked up for just $64... haven't spent that little in ages.
kcram - Pickups Host
Amazing.
Phoenix still $2.07
Staunton VA still $1.79
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
A lot of people, including myself, would disagree with that. While it certainly isn't good for the economy some of the consequences are definititely positive. For instance, more small, fuel efficient cars will be sold in the US this year than any other year. Okay, maybe you don't think that is a good thing. I feel that it is pretty clear the pace of R&D into alternative energy sources has accelerated in line with the higher fuel prices. This should expedite the day when we have the option of not paying anything for gas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/business/yourmoney/08view.html?ex=1317960000&e- n=3a749625ac447e79&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Because according to gasbuddy.com, the average is $2.265/gal
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
and according to AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the average is $2.262/gal
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/
I can see the numbers being a LITTLE off, but a nickel?
Rocky
Rocky
OH no my friend you will likely NEVER EVER see $1.50 gas in the USA again. Certainly not in CALI. Not as long as crude stays at $60, and OPEC has said it will keep it there. Slipped to $59.44 yesterday.
Gary says "nothing good about high priced oil"
That's not the case. Higher gas prices mean more people use public transportation, more people car pool, more people buy smaller more fuel efficient cars, and people buy more DIESEL engine cars. This leads to lower consumption and lessening of the effects of air pollution.
Gas hits $1.50 and that means more Sequoias, more 'Burbans, more Hummers on the road. Not good.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Its already happening. Sales of trucks and SUVs increased significantly last month. The ultimate result is that we will consume our way back to higher prices.
Buying little Japanese cars is NOT good for our economy.
I think you have given OPEC a bigger stick than they have. They may have some control over the oil market. But not ultimate control. Notice how Iraq no longer fits in the OPEC picture. Same could happen to Saudi if the leadership were to fall from power.
gagrice, "Highway funding ideas include taxes on hybrids" #313, 21 Jul 2006 11:18 am
Why? What are you attempting to accomplish? If the tax is to maintain the roads then it makes sense to charge per mile. If the tax is to reduce fuel consumption then it makes sense to charge per gallon. Charging a tax based on engine size will cost the person who drives his Hummer 30k miles a year the same as if he drove it 5k miles. That might discourage the initial purchase of this vehicle but after that this policy would have no further effect. I realize that they do this in other countries but it is usually in addition to high per gallon gas taxes.
You've an odd concept of fair.
Do you consider the PURPOSE of the gas tax to pay for the roads (a 'use tax') or is the purpose of the gas tax to act as a hammer for the government (or various social interest groups) to force 'good behavior' on the general population?
If the idea behind a 'gas tax' is to curb excessive gas consumption then......tax the consumption (gadzooks, what a novel idea). Seems fair to me.
On the downside, it does tend to hurt the poor the most.
I never understood the concept of basing a tax on engine displacement. Sometimes a larger engine can actually get better fuel economy than a smaller one, especially when you factor in people's driving habits. A Chevy Impala with a 3.5 that's driven mainly on the highway might get better fuel economy overall than a Toyota Corolla with a 1.8 or Yaris with a 1.5 or whatever that's driven only around town in local, short-trip driving.
I've gotten really burned out on the concept that the poor must not need to pay taxes, whether it's Hillary campaigning or Bush talking about tax cuts for the wealthy that might help the poor.
If they can afford to drive, they can afford to pay the taxes for the cost of building, maintaining, and using the roads.
A tax for road usage should be based on weight (damage potential) of the vehicle and the number of miles driven.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Hwy funding ideas inclde taxes on hyrbids
I'm not trying to sound like a bleeding heart tree hugger here, but this kind of stuff DOES tend to hurt the poor the most. And if someone's already stuck between a rock and a hard place, you're not going to be able to squeeze any more out of them without more serious repercussions, like them going on welfare, etc, which ends up costing the taxpayers money anyway.
As for a road usage tax, I do agree that the damage potential of the vehicle is a good way to go. However, it's not always directly related to weight. A bigger car might have larger tires, and therefore a larger footprint, so its PSI force on the road might actually be less damaging. And a larger car will most likely have a longer wheelbase and a wider track, keeping all four wheels further apart, further spreading the force over a wider area.
Besides, whether it's a t-ton Chevette, a 2-ton Crown Vic, or even a 3-ton Suburban is pretty irrelevant if these same roads are travelled by heavy duty trucks, buses, etc.
And I believe heavy-duty trucks, buses, etc, DO pay more in taxes, but I dunno if it's directly proportional to the amount of damage they do. Plus, we need those vehicles to deliver our goods and services, cart our brats off to school so they can supposedly get an education, etc...
I play golf with a bunch of guys who's politics are extremely conservative. Often times discussions will take place regarding how the government needs to stop wasting money on welfare programs. Occasionally I'll bring up the idea of raising gas taxes as a part of an effective energy policy. Interestingly these guys all respond that it would be unfair to the poor. Oh yeah, they almost all drive full size trucks or SUVs. Hmmm... coincidence? Or maybe, is it possible they are expressing a self serving point of view and citing the poor to make their case more sympathetic? Naah.
Let's stick to the movements of the prices at the pump here please!
Some stations in hot spots are at $1.99 and $2.03 type pricing. Different than the usual hot spots for low prices. That means they may be going to lower prices at the raised areas after the "restoration" for 24 hours. Even the local Wally World went up from $1.99 to $2.12 but not $2.25. They apparently don't have the same supply drummer to march to as other stations do.
Several Shell stations around the metro have been closed in last few weeks. Did Shell do a reduction in station numbers for Ohio?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky