Weather blamed for price increase
By Turner Walston
Published in News on July 8, 2005 1:45 PM
Hurricanes and tropical storms are not just affecting Wayne County residents' plans for the weekend.
The effects of the heavy rains and winds are also pulling a little more money out of drivers' pockets.
"I don't like it, but there's nothing I can do about it," seems to be the prevailing attitude of Wayne County drivers toward the latest increase in gas prices.
Drivers experienced a drastic jump in gas costs Thursday as prices for unleaded regular soared above the $2.25 mark, jumping as much as 11 or 12 cents in a couple of hours.
Power outages related to tropical storms disrupted some oil production and refining operations in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Associated Press reports.
That, in turn, caused a spike in the price consumers will pay at the pump this weekend.
The biggest price jump was 13 cents.
An employee of a British Petroleum station on Highway 70 said prices increased by five cents Thursday morning. That afternoon, the station was selling gas at $2.16 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Friday morning, the gas was at $2.26.
Be it weather or war, consumers aren't happy about the resulting effect on their wallets.
"I'm like everybody else; I don't like it," Kelly Ammons said while pumping gas at Kangaroo Express, a British Petroleum station on Spence Avenue.
Michele Kornegay, filled her vehicle at Spence Market, an Exxon Station that was at $2.26 a gallon. All she wants is a inconsistent price among stations.
"I'm a little upset that there is a five-cent difference from city to city," Kornegay said.
In spite of the hike, drivers said they will continue to hit the pumps.
"I won't be changing my driving habits. I'll continue to drive a big car," Kornegay said.
"There's nothing I can do about it," Ammons said. "I've got to drive."