Wednesday, March 22, 2006

gas prices and the gas cap

[9/13/06] Hawaii gas prices hover above mainland prices

[6/11/06] A Star-Bulletin analysis indicates that Hawaii motorists could have saved an average of 10 cents a gallon on regular gasoline in the past month if the state's wholesale gasoline price cap law had remained in place.

Instead of rising and falling with mainland markets as they had under the price caps -- with sharp week-to-week changes of more than a dime in many cases -- Hawaii prices have remained fairly consistent since Gov. Linda Lingle signed the legislation to suspend the caps on May 5.

Since then, the daily statewide average as reported by AAA's Fuel Gauge Report has ranged from $3.38 to $3.43 a gallon, with the average settling at $3.41. The national average over the same time has been about $2.88 a gallon. Under the old price cap formula, the statewide average over the past month could have been about $3.31 a gallon.

[5/6/06] The repeal of the gas cap should bring more stable prices, but not necessarily lower prices

[5/5/06] Legislature retires the gas cap

[4/29/06] The gas cap being suspended indefinitely

[3/23/06] A PUC study concludes Oahu drivers are paying 5 cents per gallon more under the gas cap law.

[3/5/06] A NEW state study suggests an average household might have paid up to $65 more for gasoline in Hawaii from September through January as a result of the state's wholesale gasoline price caps. The analysis prepared by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism attempts to determine what gas prices would have been without the price caps, which took effect Sept. 1, the same day oil and gas prices nationwide began climbing to record highs following Hurricane Katrina's landfall in the Gulf Coast. It estimates that consumers paid $54.9 million more for all grades of gasoline over the five-month span.

[10/30/05] The price gap has widened under the gas cap

[10/19/05] Gas skimpers running out of gas

[9/20/05] How the gas cap is affecting some families

[9/16/05] Up to this point, the pricing in Hawaii has reflected the warnings by Stillwater Associates

[9/15/05] Honolulu Gas Prices

[9/15/05] gas sales down as drivers wait for Monday's expected decrease in prices

[9/13/05] gas prices increase 47 cents a gallon

[9/9/05] Van pool phone lines are flooded. Bus ridership is up. Even good, old-fashioned walking is finding new enthusiasts. Apparently, Hawai'i drivers do have a tipping point: $3 per gallon.

[9/7/05] Gas prices top $3.00 but are still below national average

[9/1/05] Gas cap expected to spur jump in gas prices

[9/1/05] Drivers in Atlanta said stations were charging well over $3 a gallon for regular unleaded, and at least one station in Stockbridge, Ga., was charging customers $5.87 a gallon.