May 21, 2007 — Gov. John deJongh Jr. asked Congress Monday to investigate why gasoline prices have skyrocketed across the nation — peaking at $3.90 on St. Thomas and St. John.
DeJongh was one of 22 U.S. governors to sign the letter urging the House and Senate to probe the gas spike.
“The reasons for the massive increases do not appear to be tied to any recent changes in geo-political events or a weather crisis," the letter said.
According to Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs statistics released Monday, the cheapest gas in the territory was at the Saveway Service Station in Mt. Pleasant, St. Croix, where a gallon goes for $2.48.
On St. Thomas, the cheapest gallon was more than a dollar above that: $3.50 at Gas Works in Bovoni. On St. John, thrifty drivers pay $3.61 at Domino Oil Service.
"While there have been reports regarding problems with refinery capability, even this explanation raises more questions than answers," the letter said. "Reliability, capacity and supply issues have been at the forefront of federal energy policy for years. It is difficult to understand how oil companies can be making record profits each quarter without making capital investments in refineries that would address reliability issues."
DeJongh and the other governors said businesses and families “are straining” under uncontrolled prices — and that the busy Memorial Day weekend will further tax drivers' wallets.
The territory's most expensive automobile gas is nearly $3.94 a gallon at St. John Devco, according to the DLC report.
Gasoline at marinas is traditionally more expensive. Boaters with money burning a hole in their pocket should fuel up at Caneel Bay, where a gallon costs $4.27 and diesel is $3.80. The only other marina close to Caneel's price is American Yacht Harbor, where gas is $4.13 a gallon, according to the report.
The cheapest marinas were Pirates Cove in St. Thomas at $3.54 and St. Croix Marina at $2.70.
“We believe that Congress has the authority and the unique ability to conduct a thorough investigation into gas pricing," the governors wrote. "This is simply not a supply-and-demand issue. It is our hope that Congress can help obtain and provide answers to the circumstances and issues pertaining to these unexplained price escalations."
Governors signing the letter were deJongh, M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Charlie Crist of Florida, Chris O. Gregoire of Washington, Theodore Kulongoski of Oregon, John Baldacci of Maine, M. Michael Rounds of South Dakota, James H. Douglas of Vermont, Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Jennifer M. Granholm of Michigan, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Ruth Ann Minner of Delaware, Chester J. Culver of Iowa, Jim Doyle of Wisconsin, Mike Beebe of Arkansas, Jon Huntsman Jr. of Utah, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Martin O’Malley of Maryland and Janet Napolitano of Arizona.
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