WTF? "N.C. Gas Prices Highest Among States In Continental U.S."

[Lex]

Are we being gouged or what?

N.C. Gas Prices Highest Among States In Continental U.S.

POSTED: 10:08 am EDT October 3, 2005
UPDATED: 10:47 am EDT October 3, 2005

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Gas prices jumped 10 to 20 cents in just two days.

VIDEO: Triangle Drivers Keep Pumping, As Gas Prices Rise

WRAL found most stations in the Triangle had gas prices above $3, although there were some stations charging $3.58 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

According to AAA, the average price per gallon in North Carolina is $3.07 -- the highest-ranked state in the continental United States. The District of Columbia and Hawaii have higher gas prices than North Carolina, at $3.14 and $3.24 respectively.

http://www.wral.com/news/5049580/detail.html

[KoKo]

1. We have a Democratic Govenor. nuff said...

[Lex]

2. Well surely other states have Democratic Governors too?

Just NC?

Very suspicious.

[Lancer]

3. I think this has happened in NC before,

in 1974 when we had a Republican governor, Jim Holshouser. Katrina and Rita have affected gas supplies everywhere, so I'm not sure what makes NC different.

From WSOCTV in Charlotte:

AAA Explains Why Gas Prices Are So High

POSTED: 5:20 pm EDT September 28, 2005
UPDATED: 6:03 pm EDT September 28, 2005

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Prices at some gas stations in Charlotte soared on Wednesday. The price for a gallon of regular at a station on North Tryon Street is $3.19.

Drivers said it's putting a pinch on their pocketbook.

"Hurting is an understatement; they are doing more than hurting my budget," said one driver.

Many drivers wonder why the prices are going up again and where their money is going.

"It'd be nice if someone explained what it's all about," said driver Dan Chisholm.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Charlotte is $2.90. AAA broke down a rough estimate of how the cost is distributed.

Of the $2.90 a gallon price, $1.60 is the cost of crude oil, 58 cents is for refining, 46 cents is for taxes, 20 cents is for distribution and marketing and 6 cents is gas station profit.
The main reason you are paying more at the pump is that operations to drill and refine oil were hurt by the hurricanes.

"Right now, the supply has been crippled because of Hurricane Rita. We know it's coming back on line but for the time, we're having limited availability until those refineries get back up and running," said Tom Crosby of AAA.

Crosby said the limited supply is only a short-term problem, but AAA isn't sure when there would be a significant price drop.

In the meantime, drivers will just have to keep reaching deep into their wallets.

Copyright 2005 by WSOCTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Greg Garfield]

4. Nuff said

Wonder why gas price are so high? Because you elected a President tied to gas and oil! Duh Wake up and smell the fumes. Don't blame your Governor, it is a larger problem than that.
GG

[Lex]

5. Welcome to DU.

In the Opening Post was actually asking a more specific question about NC having the highest prices in the continental US (as the article I linked pointed out). Not a general question about the larger problem.

Plus you said "YOU elected a President tied to gas and oil . . . " which, unless you're not American should probable read "WE."

Cheers.

[_Loki_]

6. Well, whatever WE did.....

...and whatever WE would like to pin on him (I have many things.....) the price of gas at the pump is not so easily dropped on his head.

The breakdown above is accurate, as best as I can tell. I've seen similar nubmers for other States. These two figures:
--------------------------
$1.60 is the cost of crude oil, 58 cents is for refining
--------------------------
are the variables, in current terms.

Bush, despite his shortcomings, is not directly responsible for an increase in the price of either of those.

Speculation essentially determines the first, and the capability of the refineries, coupled with demand, determines the later.

[dad]

7. not directly responsible

only if you beleive energy policy has nothing to do with the cost of gas.

[_Loki_]

8. Other than taxation.....

......and increased regulation upon the nature of the output of refineries, precisely WHAT has Government, under any administration, done to raise the cost of refined product?

[SunDrop23]

9. $2.85 here in Fuquay-Varina

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. surprising if you consider

all of the flatulence being let loose at the state legislature during much of the year.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. I read that our tax on gas was higher

that was why NC citizens were charged more than other states.

[GreenInNC]

12. Ga. Prices

I was in Ga. this weekend and I saw gas at $2.71. How can our gas here in Charlotte cost half a buck more?