Anyone Notice WHICH STATES the gas is cheaper!

[capi888]

MONTANNA, IDAHO, and UTAH...hummm didn't they all go RED as usual...they have the lowest prices. Highest is HAWAII, and CALIFORNIA...
Cronyism is at work again...

[Squatch]

1. Probably a function of demand more than anything.

Those three states listed have some of the lowest population densities (48, 44, and 41, respectively)

[CatWoman]

3. they also have the highest Bush approval ratings

[Little Star]

11. We need to take to the streets

This is nothing but greed! Not to down play shortages to mother nature but GREED by these shysters is the name of the game. Dems and Pugs are on the same side on this one I think.

[Squatch]

18. LOL

Yep, that's it. Artificially deflating prices in states with some of the smallest populations to maintain his approval ratings.

[Ilsa]

2. Distribution costs are also a part of this, as well as

requirements for environmental additives, other taxes, etc. I don't think it can be blamed purely on cronyism.

[ThoughtCriminal]

12. Mostly, it's the cost of crude oil

[AngryAmish]

4. States with lotsa pollution have to have different blends

and they are more expensive (California). And everything is higher in Hawaii because, well, it is an archipelago.

[MadHound]

5. I think that the correlation that you're looking for isn't political

It's enviromental. Montana, Idaho and Utah have few pollution restrictions that would require special formulations of gas, while the more enviromentally conscience folks in California and Hawaii require special, more expensive blends. This has always caused gas in those states to be a bit pricier.

[DUHandle]

7. Taxes

vary from State to State.

Within States there are occasionally regions where different fuels must be used.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Methinks you need to take off the tinfoil hat.

Gas has always been more expensive in places like California, Hawaii, and DC and cheapest in the woods. Supply and demand.

[crispini]

8. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[ThoughtCriminal]

9. 2 of the 4 states where Bush still has over 50%

Utah and Idaho. How are prices in Wyoming and Nebraska (the other two)?

[Roland99]

10. What are the taxes on gas in those states compared to others?

[WePurrsevere]

22. Part of the reason gas is so expensive in NY is the gas tax per gal

we pay. If I gas up on the Akwesasne (Mohawk) reservation it's usually about 10 cents per gallon cheaper since they don't have to charge the tax.

[ComerPerro]

13. Seems obvious to me why Hawaii and California are more expensive

Hawaii is remote, and in California the car is king.

But I wonder how prices in Hawaii compare to those in Alaska?


One thing that is odd, though, and that doesn't seem to fit with this whole BS "supply and demand" explaination:

Why is gas still relatively low in more rural (read as REMOTE) areas like Montana and Idaho.... ??? Shouldn't it be more expensive, since there are fewer competing gas stations and it is probably more expensive to get gas to those areas?

[bluedog]

14. check this "gas price" map of US

it does seem odd....the blue states are higher priced.


http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

[Roland99]

15. And, what are the state/local taxes in the Blue vs. Red areas?

[WePurrsevere]

23. Gasoline Tax Rates by State (link below) - Fed Gas Tax is 18.4 cpg

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

So... (for example) "Blue" NYS (where we live and the cheapest regular gas was $3.10 the middle of last week) is:

31.9 (cpg gas)... 28.9 (cpg diesel) - Includes 8 cents per gallon excise tax, Petroleum Business Tax of 15.2 cents per gallon for gasoline and 13.45 cents per gallon for diesel (rate increased .6 cpg 1/1/05). Statewide volume weighted average sales tax increased 6/1/04 to 8.3 for per gallon for gasoline and 7.1 cents per gallon for diesel. Also a spill tax of 0.3 cent per gallon is collected on gasoline and diesel and a petroleum testing fee of 0.05 cent per gallon is levied on gasoline. Does not include an estimated 7.9 cents per gallon for gasoline and 6.7 cents per gallon for diesel from weighted county average sales taxes that range from 3.25% to 4.75%.

[DrGonzoLives]

20. Yeah, look at Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia

wait...

Or it could have everything to do with population density and the relative affluence of people buying the gas, etc.

Honestly, there are enough conspiracies out there, we shouldn't be making up our own.

[Yupster]

21. Maybe because the blue states charge higher taxes

which is why their kids read better.

[iconoclastNYC]

16. Might have something to do with taxes?

And as for Hawaii...how much do you think it costs to ship gasoline over on a boat rather then trucking it in from the refinery?

[Hamlette]

17. Utah has huge refineries, I've been told that's why its cheaper here n/t

[CabalPowered]

19. They're not huge but there are some refineries in UT

I paide $2.39 at Costco in Idaho about two weeks ago. Not sure what it is now.

[Hamlette]

24. maybe the just smell huge :)