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Path: utzoo!utcsri!ubc-vision!alberta!calgary!west
From: west@calgary.UUCP (Darrin West)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Is this happening where you live?
Message-ID: <51@calgary.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 20-Jan-86 11:33:34 EST
Article-I.D.: calgary.51
Posted: Mon Jan 20 11:33:34 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jan-86 05:07:28 EST
References: <409@ccice6.UUCP>
Organization: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Lines: 31

> I'm sure we have all heard the reports about how OPEC is going down
> the tubes and soon crude oil prices will be falling through the floor.
> What I have observed here in Rochester (Western NYS) is that pump
> prices for gasoline are actually INCREASING at the rate of about 1
> cent every other week for the last month or so.  I can only assume
> we will be handed the line, by "The Industry", that this is because
> refineries are busy making home heating oil.  Has anyone noticed this
> happening in other parts of the country?  Are prices going down anywhere?

This IS happening where I live. (Calgary, Alberta: Headquarters for all?
major oil companies in western Canada)  The reason appears to be extra taxes.

The main thing that bothers me, beyond the monatonically increasing prices,
is the so called "transport costs".  There are serveral refineries very close
to the city, yet our prices are cents per litre more than way out in the
country (eg. Hanna 150 miles away).  Or for that matter the gas station
across the road from one refinery is about 5 cents per litre more (maybe
20 cents per american gallon) than anywhere else.  They claim it is due
to the remote location (200 yards from the source!)

Why can't areas close to the supply get treated better.  Are we paying
for heating oil in Nova Scotia?  They could switch to gas, which is
cheaper and more plentiful anyway.
Ans:  The Federal government wanted to pay too little for our gas, and
      also wouldn't chip in too much for the pipeline out there.


Excitement, eh?  Oh well, blame it on the government.

Let me add, the government of which I speak may have been the previous
one.