Reply With QuoteLocal stations have gasoline ... for a price
By KAY JENNEY
BULLHEAD CITY -- Got gas? Forget the milk for the moment. While the price of gold sunk from last Friday's listing, the cost of liquid gold (gasoline) soared in Arizona, including Bullhead City, the result of a trickle-down effect from a ruptured pipeline between Phoenix and Tucson, July 30. It was shut down Aug. 8 and was one of two pipelines supplying the city.
Local gas stations are currently obtaining gasoline supplies anywhere they can get it -- Las Vegas, Nev., St. George and Salt Lake City, Utah, even New Mexico -- most anywhere except Phoenix.
Spokespersons for Bullhead City gas stations said distribution of gas has slowed down, but supplies are available. That's not the problem. Gas stations reported Tuesday the prices they are paying for their gas deliveries have steadily risen and some people claim price-gouging by those who control the flow of oil.
"It's slow, but it's getting here. The cost of trucking is the reason for higher gas prices," Woody's Chevron manager Harlene Carpenter said. "It's supply and demand."
Kelly Stokesberry, manager of the Tri Mart gas station, said she had to raise fuel prices Tuesday morning. She said her store ran out of gas Friday and Sunday. She said she has gotten gas out Bloomfield, N.M., and Parker.
"The stations don't make any money. The truckers aren't making money, it's the big oil tycoons," truck driver Gary Danklef, of St. George, Utah, said as he delivered a load of gasoline at Tri Mart. He said suppliers in Las Vegas raised their prices to discourage the Phoenix market from buying their gas.
He said his company, Tri-Valley, Heber City, Utah, hauls gasoline to this area from Las Vegas, St.George and sometimes Salt Lake City.
Issa Deebes, owner of a former Shell station, said it costs him $500-$700 a day to stay in business. He said he is involved in negotiations with other companies to operate the station.
"I don't want to close," Deebes said, but added that his cost for gasoline rose 12 cents in one day between an order and delivery.
"We haven't ran out yet. The guy who does the ordering does a pretty good job," said Sandy Hernandez, Terrible Herbst manager.
The Mobil station also reported no problems obtaining gas and manager Dawnette Renfro said she hopes prices will not continue to rise.
Airport Chevron manager Irene Sissener said her station is not making much profit. She said every load seems to cost more. She said one day it went up 11 cents per gallon.
"I try to keep the prices as low as I can," Sissener said.
Fastrip Food Store manager Ishtiaq Mirza said his company has no trouble getting supplies of gasoline. He said all orders about pricing come from corporate headquarters. The last time he had to raise prices was Friday.
One gas station employee who asked not to be named said there is no shortage of gas. He said it is a manufactured situation in order to gouge the public. He said the only minor problem was to find alternate methods of transporting gasoline.
Regular unleaded prices Tuesday morning:
Woody's Chevron 3713 Highway 95 -- $1.86 9/10
Circle K 76 2551 Highway 95 -- $1.95 9/10
Tri Mart 2540 Highway 95 -- $1.81 9/10
Terrible Herbst - 1815 Highway 95 -- $1.89 9/10
Airport Chevron 600 Highway 95 -- $1.86 9/10
Fastrip Food Store, 2199 Highway 95 -- $1.89 9/10
