Why are gas prices so much higher in blue states?

[Cobalt Violet]

See these prices:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4066370


I know it isn't all because of state taxes.

http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Punishment

[supernova]

2. I think a lot of it is the percieved wealth of the area

Here in NC, Durham and Chapel Hill, home to numerous PhD, MD and academic types, gas is the most expensive in the state. And yes, we're Blue counties.

[Selatius]

3. It's supply and demand

If you built a gas station that can hold 5,000 gallons of gas in the countryside and has several hundred customers a day, of course, you are going to charge a different price for that 5,000 gallons than if you built the gas station in the city where that same 5,000 gallons has to serve several thousand people.

This argument assumes no profit-taking however. It simply looks at the dynamics between the supply and the demand. Of course, with profit-taking, if an area has a reputation for being wealthier than the countryside, there's the added temptation of making the price even higher than what supply and demand would dictate.

[blurp]

4. Because blue states care more about the environment

The price is probably high because blue states have higher standards for reducing pollution associated with the burning of gasoline.

They require certain additives that reduce smog.

The red states just don't give a damn. They prefer cheap gas to clean air.

[Coastie for Truth]

12. This is a significant factor in California

The requirement for a special "oxygenate" blend (including measured amounts of MTBE or Ethanol).

A further factor is the near impossibility of getting use permits for new refineries, or to significantly expand or modify existing refineries.

In CA - we have seen the enemy - and it is us.

[unhappycamper]

Why does a dog lick its butt?

Because it can, Same principle applies here.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Tax structure

The red states' aversion to taxes keep the price of gasoline down. It can be substantial -- I think it's around 25 cents per gallon in Pennsylvania.

--p!

[blurp]

8. Here's a chart of the taxes

Seems like they're all over the board with some blue states near both top and bottom.

[Cobalt Violet]

9. That's what I noticed too.

Kansas's, Utah's, and Idaho's gas taxes are more than Massachusetts's , New Jersey's and Vermont's.

[seabeyond]

6. calif and colo i know treat their gas for more enviromental friendly

and they add the cost onto the gas

[Bluzmann57]

7. I live in Iowa

right across the River from Illinois. I gassed up in Illinois as recently as yesterday, and gas prices are the same. Illinois is a historically Blue State, and Iowa went red in the last election, although not in this house. What do you think the cause of the higher gasoline prices may be? Just asking.

[Cobalt Violet]

11. Just greed and gouging is my gut feeling.

I'm just asking the question to see if there is a good reason I am overlooking.

I feels like the Exxons of the world have us on a sliding scale based on per capita income or something.

[BlueManDude]

10. we been bad.

[havocmom]

13. I live in a red state and it is $2.41

Seems likely that it costs more where there is more demand. More people, more cars in blue states = higher demand. More miles to get anywhere in my state (red) = more driving per capita = more demand, they have us over the barrel

[SoCalDem]

14. We like our air and water "smooth"..not extra-crunchy

:)