The recent overnight 30-cent gas price increase in Lawrence County is more than a little puzzling – especially since the same product has only increased about 5-10 cents across the river.

Saturday, June 10, 2000

The recent overnight 30-cent gas price increase in Lawrence County is more than a little puzzling – especially since the same product has only increased about 5-10 cents across the river.

The questions about how gas prices are set has been one that has puzzled Tri-State residents for years, but this week’s gargantuan leap has left everyone scratching their heads – and driving across the bridge.

There seems to be no logical explanation for why the extra couple of miles that gas must travel across the river should translate into such a huge price differential.

The petroleum producers say the reason for the variation involves transportation costs and supply and demand, while the gas station owners say that suppliers force the price increases because of the fees they charge for their products.

No matter who is right, there is no question that this is an issue that should be looked into by someone other than the media and a few angry drivers.

For some people in this county, even a small price increase can mean the difference between a trip to the grocery store and groceries, so this is an issue that hits home.

Perhaps county officials could get an answer from either side of the gasoline issue about why consumers are facing what can only be construed as at the very least a convenient discrepancy.