I also notice when traveling north to Norwich and west to Elmira prices there are usually lower than here too, so I don’t think the reason is solely because New York State assesses an additional nickel tax to every gallon. I honestly don’t know why it’s so much higher here, higher than other surrounding areas in this part of New York.

I’ve read that something like 85% of our local gas stations are owned by two or three companies. Maybe it’s a competitive issue? As in, there’s not enough competition locally? If you have any theories, or if you know the answer, I’d love to hear it. Leave me a comment.

Technorati Tags: Binghamton, gas prices

[I]t still doesn’t let auto manufacturers off the hook for not responding quickly enough to the need for better fuel economy–a need that has been apparent since the 1970s. Sure, it’s great to have the latest gizmos in new models such as global positioning systems, but what drivers really need now is better mileage per gallon. Just ask the residents of Gorda, Calif., who were paying $5 a gallon for regular unleaded gas last week.

Hello? Anyone listening out there in Detroit?

To which I say: Hello? Anybody home at the P&SB?  Are you really that dense? Of course not. This is typical liberal thinking. Blame the auto manufacturers (i.e. business) for high prices. How about blaming the REAL culprits–environmentalist zealots who prevent new drilling for oil or natural gas. And who prevent more refineries from being built. It’s Economics 101: The demand goes up because our population increases, but supply is artificially held at the same level. More demand for the same supply equals an increase in price. Of course simple logic usually escapes the editorial writers at the P&SB!

But don’t take my word for it. How about the following words, which are part of an independent study titled The Emerging Oil Refinery Capacity Crunch published in 2005 by ICF International:

In large measure the high level of energy prices today has been driven by concerns about the availability of spare crude oil production capacity to meet growing global demands for oil products, and the potential for supply disruptions in crude production. However, ICF Consulting believes that in the past year, and over the next roughly 5-year period, that the ability to meet forecast demands for oil will be driven by refinery capacity issues, not crude availability.

Enviro-nutjobs who prevent new refineries from being built in the U.S. are the real reason that gas prices are high. Quit trying to make us squeeze into Yugos and let the free market do it’s job.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment for everyone to read!

Technorati Tags: Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, oil refinery capacity, environmentalism, fuel efficiency

But it seems the pendulum has swung the other way again. I’m not sure why. Delta’s departure from BGM likely has a lot to do with it (I’ll be looking to trade in my frequent flier miles from Delta as I don’t plan to fly them again). You can’t blame fuel prices as they’re down from this point last year. Ticket prices have continued to climb at BGM in relation to other airports and I can only think it’s because of lack of competition. When doing a comparison between BGM and airports like Syracuse, you save so much money it just makes sense to fly from somewhere else. For example, my job requires me to travel to London periodically. A recent check showed a round-trip flight in mid-December costs $883 from BGM. It costs $751 from Syracuse, a $132 savings. And if you want to travel 4 1/2 hours to JFK, you pay $603, a $280 savings.

Let’s hope more competition returns to BGM soon. For now, I’ll be seeing more of ‘Cuse when I need to fly. How about you? I’m not a frequent flier by any means, so my experience is limited. Leave me a comment about the cost of flying from BGM for you.

Technorati Tags: Binghamton, airport, BGM, Delta, Syracuse