December 16, 2008
Tuesday

I agree with Mr. Vitorino. Although I have been going to the Department of Energy website to file a complaint of price gouging since September, it seems to have done very little to help Ketchikan residents.

Recently, in a Sitnews article, an 'official' was attempting to sell his expertise that basically since Alaska does not have a price gouging law, there is nothing that we as citizens can do about the price at the pump; that the gas stations can sell fuel at whatever price they want to, even if they are purchasing it at a much cheaper price than this time last year. What they're paying per 'barrel' has nothing to do with how much they charge at the pump. So, if this is the case, why do prices immediately go up when the price per barrel goes up on the 'world wide market'? Why don't prices go down in the same manner?

The gas stations in Ketchikan made an exorbitant profit when the price per barrel was high - and they are continuing to profit exorbitantly.

Folks down south have told me they are paying as little as $1.48 per gallon. In the 20+ years I've been in Alaska I have never paid more than 50-60cents higher than prices down south.

MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE FOR KETCHIKAN RESIDENTS TO GET FUEL AT THE CHEAPEST PLACE IN TOWN, TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR LOWER PRICES. THE LOWEST PRICE IN TOWN, THAT I KNOW OF, IS TATSUDA'S GAS AT LAST - THEY'VE BEEN AT $3.39 FOR MORE THAN A MONTH...WHILE ALL THE REST OF THE STATIONS ARE CHARGING $3.75, AND RECENTLY CAME DOWN TO $3.49. It's still 10cents cheaper at Gas at Last. If we STOP going to those that gouge (more so), maybe they'll take the hint.

Where I differ with Mr. Vitorino is that I do not believe Petro Marine to be exonerated in this situation. After all, they are still charging a ridiculous price per gallon for heating fuel. (Nearly $800 to fill my heating fuel tank in November - a whopping $3.65 per gallon for 208gal)

And to the Gas Stations of Ketchikan - Just because residents were 'able' to pay $4+ per gallon, doesn't mean we weren't sacrificing quite a lot in order to do so. The sacrifice was made in order to get to work, and to purchase necessities such as food. Now that we're getting winter weather, the sacrifices will have to be even greater in order to heat our homes. Everyone who lives in Southeast AK knows that the cost of living is higher, so we adjust for it. Because we home school, we were able to reduce our trips to town to approximately 1-2 times per week, for necessities. All 'extras' such as swimming, working out, visiting friends,etc. were cut from the budget - we opted for walking/biking/etc. Eating out? Not happening.

My point is, the gas companies/stations are not only hurting residents, but they are hurting small business owners as well - Restaurants, grocery stores (not as many visits-cutting back on non-essential items in order to pay for fuel), business supplies, shopping in general, overal cost of operations for small businesses, etc.

What's the point? Gas companies/Stations in Ketchikan couldn't care less what it costs others in their home town, so long as they get to line their pockets.

Lisa Hydock
Ketchikan, AK

About: "20+ year resident of Southeast Alaska Home School Mom of Four wonderful children; Small business owner/operator"

Received December 14, 2008 - Published December 16, 2008

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