Gas Prices Soar Past $4 Mark in New Lenox
Experts blaming Midwest refinery problems and say there likely won't be a decrease until after Labor Day.
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Motorists in New Lenox are paying $4.15 a gallon of regular at most stations, including all three Speedway stations and the 7-11 station. The Shell-owned Circle K station on Nelson Road and U.S. Route 30 along with BP on Route 30 and Cedar Road are charging $4.19 for a gallon of regular.
Despite the bump up in prices, New Lenox resident Pat Shepard said he has no choice but to fill up his Ford pick-up truck.
"I drive 80 miles a day," he said about his commute. Filling up at a Speedway stations, Alfonso Bravo, of New Lenox, chalked the price increase off to business.
"It's expensive, but you've got to pay it."
AAA Chicago is saying that refinery problems in Illinois and Indiana are behind gas price increases that took the cost to more than $4 a gallon in the Chicago area, according to the State Journal Register.
Nationwide, gas prices have risen from an average of 3.32 per gallon of regular to $3.53 per gallon of regular in the last month, according to AAA.
"Illinois, Indiana and states in the Midwest have seen prices rise since last week due to production issues at the BP refinery in Whiting, Ind. and the Citgo refinery in Lemont," Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA Chicago said in a news release.
"With the supply from these refineries impacted, and the associated increase in wholesale prices already seen in the region, there is reason to suspect that prices in the areas supplied by these facilities may continue to rise until the situation is resolved."
Nationwide, prices are rising due to corn prices which have caused ethanol costs to increase about 17 percent in July, according to the Huffington Post.
Gas prices rise four times faster than they fall after the wholesale price changes, according to a 2010 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) study. USA Today says that, according to the study, some retailers sell at a loss when wholesale prices are high and try to make up for it when prices go down.
AAA says prices should begin to decline again after Labor Day.
Gas prices have been a hot topic in New Lenox, especially after Mayor Tim Baldermann called for residents to boycott local stations in April with the goal of bringing prices closer to neighboring towns.
Nikki Sanders
7:16 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
NONSENSE !!! I paid $3.79 at Sam's Club. The Shell across the street was also under $4.00 (Larkin and I=80). Shell at Circle K says they aren't competitors.
I see NO competition in this town. They all hurry to raise their prices to what the next guy is charging. SHUN THEM, folks. Buy your gas on your way somewhere else
Marie
7:27 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
There are many (statewide, national and international) factors that affect the gas pricing at our smaller local gas stations. They'd probably feel more of a pinch if consumers shunned their junk food.
CCW
8:02 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The statement that refinery problems is the cause is probably not true. I work in the local refineries for maintenance turnarounds and the price of fuel barely rises when the plants are down. I travel around northern Illinois and as soon as you get out of Will county, the prices go down. The price of gas in Ottawa was $ 3.85...for premium! Will county is in bed with Crook county and we are simply being gouged.
Anyone who travels would agree. We have the highest prices in the country and we have 3 regional refineries so our prices should be lower because the fuels are not shipped as far but it is just the opposite. The farther away from the refineries , the less you pay. Gas is like food, we need it and the gas sellers know it , so we get stuck being gouged. Two more years and bye-bye Illinois...yeah!!
Cary Wilson
9:03 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
BRW is correct. Prices are set by what market can handle. We midwesterners pay highest prices for everything. You would think with all our corn, gasahol would be cheaper locally. nope. We are the most sheep-like and won't change our habits based on prices alone.
Reality Bytes!
10:50 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Don't buy in New Lenox, highest prices anywhere! Manhattan and Joliet have been much cheaper for over the past year. Stopped at Speedway on Cedar and Spencer a few weeks ago because they were almost as low as going to Joliet. Went in to pay and as I walked out the guy was changing the sign price up .20. I went back in a nd told the it was BS and they refunded my difference in cash... Thought it was wierd but didn't complain further. Shorewood was $3.99 last night...