AAA Official: Gas prices in North Country area are among the highest
UTICA, NY- Gas prices are still steadily declining, but folks at the gas pump are certainly paying more to fill up than they ever have before.
Here in the North Country, gas prices still remain among the highest there is, while nearby cities and regions are enjoying significantly lower prices. For example, Gulf Gas Station in North Syracuse, NY had a price of $3.99 as of this report, but Sunoco in Lowville, NY had a price 60-cents higher at $4.59, according to Gas Buddy.
Below Syracuse in Homer, NY, we found (as of this report) $3.99 gas prices at Mobil and Byrne Dairy; and meanwhile, Stewart’s in Boonville was $4.49 and $4.62 at Fastrac in Old Forge, NY.
When we originally aired a story earlier this month showcasing the significant gap in regional gas prices, we submitted a detailed comment request to Stewart’s Shops cooperate office and have yet to receive any return response.
Meanwhile, Patti Artessa, who serves as AAA’s Northeast Regional Director of Public and Government Affairs, told us in an interview Friday that a lack of local competition is a main driver behind the wide price margin when comparing neighboring regions and states.
“In the Utica region, we have a limited supply of gas station owners,” Artessa explained.
“When you look at Syracuse or Buffalo, they have 28 and plus different types of gas stations. We just don’t have the competition here in this area and that’s why we’re higher than Buffalo, Rochester, Providence, RI, Massachusetts, you know, Connecticut, we are the highest.”
Artessa also cited other factors of the ongoing war in the Ukraine and a lack of overall employment help.
Keep in mind, the gas prices you see now are still minus the state and federal tax.
If you, the consumer, feel as if you are being price gouged, New York’s Office of the Attorney General would like to know about it. The best way to submit a price gouging complaint to the NY AG Office is to complete the online form.
Image courtesy via the AAA.
