20 to 30 Percent More For Gas In Queens Than Upstate

Queens drivers are spending up to 30 percent more per gallon at the pump than upstate drivers, according to a study released by City Councilmen John Sabini and Anthony Weiner.
Sabini and Weiner have called for an investigation by the Justice Dept. into the pricing practices of large oil companies.
The study showed that pump prices soared to an average $1.20 (for regular) and $1.38 (high test) in Queens, but plummeted to $1 per gallon (regular) and $1.06 for high test in Albany. This disparity exists "despite Queens’ proximity to the tankers and pipeline that carry the gasoline."
Both Councilmen blasted the pricing practices of the big oil companies.
"Big oil companies are putting a squeeze on downstate gas stations and their customers," said Weiner. "They are defying logic by charging more for bringing gas a short distance than for a long haul. It looks a lot like price gouging."
Sabini charged, "Not only do downstaters pay more in rent and more for groceries, but, as our report demonstrates, we pay more for gas. This is simply unfair."
In their detailed study titled "Getting Squeezed At The Pump," Sabini and Weiner surveyed prices at 65 gasoline stations throughout New York State. They compared the final cost of the gasoline against the fuel’s "harbor price" — the cost charged to the oil companies before it goes to the service stations and the wholesale pre-tax price that stations have to pay for the delivery of the gas.
Since all tankers deliver to a New York City area harbor and all of the pipelines run from south to north, the distance that the gasoline has to be shipped is shortest when delivering to New York gas stations. However, the Council study revealed that while gasoline has to be shipped much further to reach cities north of Queens, there is an additional charge for Queens stations that is not charged to stations in such cities as Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.
These higher fees, said the study, account almost exactly for the higher price at the pump that is charged to the consumers.