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Gas prices fuel protest for today Some in Rogue Valley fill their tanks early By DAVID PRESZLER Today's the day people are being asked to pass by the pumps in a protest of high gas prices. Calls for the protest, dubbed "The Great American Gas-Out," have gone out by e-mail to residents nationwide, including some in the Rogue Valley. The e-mail chain letter asks people to avoid purchasing gas today to send a message to the gas and oil industry. "It's time we did something about the price of gasoline in America!" it says. "We are all sick and tired of high prices when there are literally millions of gallons in storage. "If there was just one day when no one purchased any gasoline, prices would drop drastically." Egged on by morning radio shows and word of mouth, the message had hit much of the Rogue Valley by Thursday, prompting some folks to make an early trip to the pumps. "Yep," said Talent's Larry Baker when asked if he was filling his pickup Thursday evening because of the gasout. "I'm just frustrated. Every time I turn around they are trying to raise prices." At an average of $1.52 a gallon, Oregon's gasoline is the third most costly in the continental United States, according to the latest AAA survey. Prices around the valley vary, with the Arco am/pm station off South Pacific Highway believed to be the lowest at $1.39 a gallon for regular unleaded. "This is the cheapest place in the valley," Baker said of the Arco. Prices have risen dramatically over the past several months. Gas dealers blame refinery problems in California and Washington. But the rapid increases have stirred conspiracy theories about price gouging and fueled protests such as the gasout. The protest's origins are unclear, but it has drawn national attention, including an article in Newsweek. A Web site -- www.gasout.org -- has also been set up. Intentional or not, the looming gasout kept stations hopping Thursday. "It's probably been the busiest day in two months," said an attendant at the Texaco on Central Avenue downtown. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA