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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 4, 2005 Fred McBee fights high gas prices by riding his 60-mile-per-gallon Honda motorcycle rather than driving a car. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell RISING FUEL PRICES Medford-Ashland area has the highest gas prices in Oregon By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Gas prices soared to an all-time high Wednesday, hitting an average $2.60 a gallon for regular in Jackson County. According to AAA’s fuel gauge report, this area is also the most expensive in the state, averaging about 15 to 20 cents higher than other metropolitan areas. "I think it’s higher here than it needs to be," said Jacksonville resident Don Heckert, who was getting gas at the Jacksonville Shell Food Market. "It seems to me Salem, Oregon, is one of the lowest places in the state." Heckert is right. Of the major metropolitan areas, Salem’s average price is one of the lowest at $2.39 a gallon, tied with the Portland-Vancouver area. Gas prices have risen throughout the nation, buoyed by a rise in the cost of oil, which hit a record of $62 a barrel Wednesday. Advertisement Nationwide the average price of a gallon of regular gas was $2.28 Wednesday, still lower than the record high of $2.32 set on July 14. Oregon’s average price is $2.45 a gallon, but hit a record on April 28 when it was $2.49. "As long as we see crude oil prices going up, we should see gasoline prices rise," said Elliot Eki, director of public and government affairs for AAA Oregon/Idaho. Adding to that problem, Eki said, are refinery breakdowns in the United States and other countries that limit supply. On a bright note, Eki said there is some speculation among industry analysts that gasoline prices might decrease by 2006, although global market conditions could change that forecast. Why gas prices are higher in the Medford area than the rest of the state is somewhat of a mystery, since prices used to be lower several years ago. Oil industry experts have said that it could be explained by changing market conditions and Medford’s long distance from the end of the gasoline pipeline in Eugene. Joe Dauenhauer, manager of the Jacksonville Shell station, said he’s not sure why gas prices here are some of the highest in the country, but it’s not making him rich. "The profits are really tight," he said. Dauenhauer isn’t happy about higher gas prices, either. "It’s hurt my volume," he said. "It’s way down from last year." Jacksonville resident Fred Von Tress, who was filling up at the Jacksonville station, said he’s not surprised gas prices are so high. "The president’s an oil man," he said. "He’s friends with the people in Saudi Arabia. It’s in his interest to raise gas prices." North Carolina resident Josh Schmidt, who just got out of the Marines five months ago and was vacationing here, said the prices were ridiculous. "Gas prices are going up faster than people’s incomes," he said. Jacksonville resident Fred McBee, who was also filling up, said, "The bad thing is they don’t go down as fast as they go up." McBee said it has had an affect on his driving habits. "It makes me drive this," he said, pointing to his motorcycle. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail RISING FUEL PRICES ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Advertisement s