As gasoline prices take a dramatic swing upward across the United States, those at St. John pumps, already among the most expensive in the nation, are also on the rise.
For several months, the price at local filling stations hovered around $1.89 for premium and $1.81 for regular unleaded. In recent days, of the three service stations on the island, O'Connor's Texaco posted the highest rates — $1.99 per gallon for premium gasoline and $1.95 a gallon for regular. All three stations offer only full-service pricing.
At the wholesale end, "It went up again Tuesday, about six cents from Texaco, but we didn't put the price up yet," said Civilla Williams, office manager at St. John Development Corp., which operates the service station. So, she said, for the time being, owner Robert O'Conner Jr. "is operating at a loss."
When they do add the increase, gas will top $2 a gallon for the first time in the territory.
At the Contant and Enighed Gas station, premium is selling for $1.94, while regular gas is $1.87. An attendant there said new prices were posted about a week ago.
The cheapest gas on St. John can be found at the most remote location — the Domino station in Coral Bay. Premium gas is selling there for $1.89 a gallon, and regular costs $1.84.
Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik, a St. John resident, had his department make an extensive study of gasoline prices in the territory late last year. He said he will keep an eye on the pumps but expects that prices on St. John and St. Thomas will continue to climb as long as gasoline imports arrive in limited supply. St. Croix traditionally has had significantly lower fuel prices because it is supplied by the Hess Oil/Hovensa refinery on that island.
The most recent round of price rises on the mainland began about two weeks ago, and in some parts of the United States consumers are now paying an unprecedented $2.05 a gallon.
Does that mean St. John prices, long a leader across the country, will continue to rise to record highs? "It's possible, but we won't know until new gas shipments come in," the commissioner said.
