Mark,

This is simply gouging!!! Alaska has 6 refineries based on this link..
http://www.gravmag.com/oil4.html

And your state produces plenty of oil too.  It is likely the infrastructure
and the distance between populated areas which has a negative impact on
price.

With that said, I still don't get why the price in Alaska would go up so
drastically.  The price of oil has dropped by 1/3rd in the past two months,
but the cost per gallon continues to remain high.  This will continue to
have a negative impact on demand, and the price of oil should continue to
fall.  Now, with the "simple" economics this is what should happen.  Bring
in big business, the banking / lending mess, global economy and speculators,
and it ends up being a crap shoot!

The only sure fire way to reduce your monthly energy consumption is to drive
less.  But who wants to drive less, especially if you love cruising and
camping in your Vanagon!

Hey, if you are putting premium in the Vanagon, that really isn't worth the
extra cost.  These vans are designed to run fine on Regular.

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mark Tuovinen
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 6:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fuel Price Gouging - Again - It jumped nearly $1 locally

Re:  "That means we're looking at close to US$4 a gallon for the rest of
September,"

I paid $5.52 for premium in Cantwell, Alaska Saturday.  Regular was $5.32.
Prices here never dropped like they did in the lower 48 States, we were at
$4.20 before this thread started.  This in a State with a relatively low
fuel tax.

Mark in AK