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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 15, 2005 Gas prices going down By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Ardy Farhangdoust changes prices Friday at the Mobil Station at Exit 14 in Ashland on Friday. Oregon is still the 17th most expensive state to buy gas in, as the national average has dropped to $2.29. As congressional hearings were being held, with oil company executives asked to explain their record profits while consumers were burdened with record price hikes, the cost of gasoline has finally begun to get some distance from the $3 mark. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Oregon has dropped 46 cents since it set a record Sept. 7. The average gallon now costs Oregonians $2.44, 2 cents less than the average price of a gallon last week. “It’s about time,” declared Rich Stevens as he filled up at the Ashland Arco station on Friday morning. Oregon is still the 17th most expensive state to buy gas in, as the national average has dropped to $2.29, 76 cents lower than the all-time American high set Sept. 5. While the average price in the Medford/Ashland area is still hovering around $2.54, this area is fairing slightly better than California, which has a statewide average of $2.58. Tom O’Connell was on his way home to Mt. Shasta from Portland when he stopped in Ashland for gas to avoid paying the higher rate in California. “I’m just glad it didn’t go up to five dollars a gallon,” he said. O’Connell is a truck driver, and he said diesel prices are still hurting his bottom line because the price of diesel hasn’t dropped as much as regular unleaded. “Diesel used to be cheaper,” he said. “Now it’s the opposite. They know the truckers need it to make a living,” he surmised. Other businesses that need to fuel up cars or trucks to provide their services are reporting the price drop has helped some, but still not enough. “It helps but, not that much,” Muriel Ellis, a pizza delivery person for Giseppi’s Pizza, said. “I used to put in 20 bucks every two days — now I put it in every three days.” Gary Stanley, who owns a trucking company in Talent, agreed. He said the relaxed prices have helped but he has still not been able to drop his prices to where they were below the hike. “Eventually it always comes down to the consumer,” he said. “We’ve had to pass the increases on to our customers.” Jackie Newby, who owns A-1 Towing in Ashland, said she has had to raise her prices to quell the effects of rising fuel costs. While she said the gas decline has helped, it has not yet fallen enough to where they can readjust their price points. “It’s helped but it hasn’t been enough,” she said. “I get excited every time I see it drop a penny.” Elliott Eki, of AAA, said the price of crude oil is dropping based on several factors, such as a warmer than average winter prediction and the help of European refineries. He said lower consumer demand suggests that people are now driving less than they had been. “As prices go down, it’s likely that demand will start creeping upward again,” he said. “Consumers should be reminded that European imports of gasoline are making up for some of the refining capacity America lost as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Once those imports are discontinued, current fuel prices will respond accordingly to demand and availability.” Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x 3040 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams