Truckstop and Travel Plaza Industry Disputes Trucking Community Charges Of Fuel Price Gouging

biz.yahoo.com Press Release Source: NATSO Thursday March 6, 1:05 pm ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to charges by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) of possible fuel price gouging by retailers, NATSO (representing America's travel plazas and truckstops) President & CEO William D. Fay delivered the following letter to ATA President & CEO William Graves and state attorneys general:

"It is sad that the trucking industry has decided to ignore the geopolitical factors that have sent crude oil prices skyrocketing and instead point fingers at a trucking community partner, America's truckstops.

Throughout the decades, crude oil prices go up and diesel prices go up. Then the price of crude goes down and diesel prices go down. Although we never hear mea culpas after prices go down, users are unfortunately wont to seek out scapegoats when prices shoot up.

Here are some facts that Attorneys-General and the trucking industry should heed:

* Crude oil prices are hovering at two-year highs.  A barrel of crude
  today sells at $36, double the $18 price just a year ago.

* Worldwide crude oil supplies are tight because of uncertainty about Iraq
  specifically, the Middle East generally, the Venezuela strike, and cold
  weather.

* Little needs to be said about the Middle East and Venezuela, but it's
  important to note that home heating oil and diesel fuel for trucks come
  from the same source.  This winter has been 30% colder than 2002.
  January in the Northeast was 32% colder than last year and February has
  followed this freezing trend.  As a result, the demand for heating oil
  was up dramatically -- this, in turn, puts upward price pressure on the
  distillates that also produce diesel.

On behalf of the nation's truckstops and travel plazas, NATSO welcomes any investigation by attorneys general, but remind them that there have been myriad investigations over the last several decades. Not one single investigation has ever turned up evidence of gouging or price-fixing.

We'll watch with bated breath for the trucking industry's mea culpa when the weather turns warmer and the war and political instability in Venezuela ends."

NATSO is the professional association of America's $42 billion travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.

Source: NATSO