Oct. 10, 2007 — Look for changes in gas prices starting Wednesday, with regular gas and diesel going up but premium going down, according to Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Kenrick Robertson.
"The truck rack rate prices have changed," he said, so drivers should see corresponding changes at the pump. The rack rate is the price paid when a truck picks up gas at Hovensa, Robertson said. Trucking adds to the price.
Hovensa is raising the price by eight cents on regular gas, from $2.075 a gallon to $2.155 cents a gallon, Robertson said. Diesel prices are going up 17 cents, from $2.195 a gallon to $2.365 a gallon, but premium is going down four and a half cents, from $2.28 a gallon to $2.235 a gallon.
Myrtle Barry, manager at E&C Gas Station on St. John, said she has been advised of the change in prices. However, she said it would take two weeks or more before the increases make it to the pump because she already ordered gas at the old rates.
When prices go up at other stations depends on how fast they turn over their fuel, Barry said.
Longo Tahle, owner of Solitude Service Station on St. Croix, said he can't say when he'll have to raise prices.
"Every time I buy gas, the price changes," he said.
Robertson said he did not know why the truck rack rate went up, but pointed out that oil prices fluctuate regularly. Hovensa spokesman Alex Moorhead was out of the office Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
Advised that regular gas was running $3.63 on St. John, Robertson said prices were about the same on St. Thomas.
"St. Croix is about a dollar cheaper," he said.
Most motorists use regular gas because that's what auto manufacturers recommend, Robertson said. Using premium is an option, he said.
This is the first time Robertson's office has issued a news release advising residents of an increase in the truck rack rate so they could watch for increases at the pump, but said he would continue the practice.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
