Gas prices in Maryland climb to an average of $1.62 per gallon

www.zwire.com By: AMY REININK, Staff Writer February 23, 2003

Burton Wilson of Stoney Ridge looks for the lowest gas prices available when he has to fill up the two 15-gallon tanks that hold fuel for his 1992 Ford F150 pickup truck.

EASTON - Gas prices have spiked nearly 10 cents per gallon in the Washington, D.C., region in the past week, frustrating Eastern Shore drivers and forcing trucking companies to seriously watch their wallets to compensate. Maryland prices were up to an average of $1.62 per gallon for self-serve regular this week, up from $1.49 a month ago and $1.12 a year ago, according to the latest American Automobile Association survey. Local gas stations did not seem busier than normal, but those waiting to fuel up were annoyed nonetheless.

"It's outrageous," said Chris Lanning, 29, of Easton, after paying his tab. "I'm just dealing with it day by day."

Some, like Barry Curry, 43, of Salisbury, shopped for the lowest prices before pulling in. Curry decided on Elliott's Exxon on U.S. Route 50, where regular fuel cost $1.69 per gallon.

But most said they felt helpless to do anything but watch the numbers on the roadside stands multiply.

"It looks like it's going to go up, much to my dismay," said Bill Parker, 66, of Easton. "There's nothing you can really do - if you're going to travel, you're going to need gas."

Many local motorists also said they expected a more severe increase if the country goes to war with Iraq.

Personal drivers weren't the only ones stupefied by the spike. Local trucking companies said the high prices could seriously hurt business and cause them to raise their own prices to compensate.

"Diesel fuel has gone out of whack," said Gary Fox, president of Fox Trucking in Easton. "We've really got to pinch pennies now, because it's hard to get our freight rates up to match our fuel costs. It's pretty tough right now."

The industry has blamed tensions in the Middle East and a strike in Venezuela that has crippled that nation's petroleum industry. Venezuela is one of the largest exporters of crude oil to the United States.

AAA spokespeople this week said the increase is unwarranted and oil companies may be looking ahead to what could happen to crude oil prices if the United States invades Iraq.

"It's terrible, I resent it and it's a personal affront," said Bart Pelstring, a self-described "adult citizen" of Easton who was fueling at the Super Soda Center on Dover Street, where regular gas cost $1.59 per gallon. "Really? This is just goofy."