Maybe it's time to Nationalize Oil (Brunswick, Kennebunk: cost of, clubs, discount)

[dmyankee]

The black helicopters are circling.

I gotta go and adjust my tin foil hat.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Coaster

My response was about Maine, of course, but the Minnesota law setting a minimum price for gasoline is fascinating. How long has it been in effect? These days you would think we'd be more likely to see laws setting maximum prices!

Oregon was talking about a similar use road tax a year or so ago, but I'm not sure I understand the concept. If you drive more, then you buy more gasoline and thus pay more fuel taxes anyway. In Oregon's case, I think the rationale was that new cars get better gasoline mileage so they're not paying as much in taxes but still using the roads as much, so the Oregon DOT was lobbying for a per-mile tax rather than a per-gallon tax. As I recall, the plan called for requiring GPS devices in every vehicle in the state and using them to track how far each vehicle drove -- and where!!! -- 24 hours a day.

Needless to say, that idea didn't get very far.

BTW, an EZ-Pass style system has been suggested as a way to enforce gasoline rationing, when and if that ever occurs.

Yeah, I know, Maine, Maine, Maine.

The Minnesota law, probably has been around as long as Wisconsin's law.

Yeah, it sounds like Minnesota was trying to do the same thing as Oregon. I remember that part of the reasoning was that hybrid car/motorcycle owners didn't use as much gas, but still used the roads just as often. The whole point was that it would be a 'fair tax' in that everyone would pay according to how much they drove (not consumed). Of course, the Prius owners and motorcycle drivers (and scooterists) barked the loudest'.

[Coaster]

I'm reading on other forums that gasoline has taken some pretty steep jumps elsewhere in the US in the last few days. Can't say that I've seen it as dramatically here, although the range of prices has widened a little. My benchmark station in Woolwich is still $3.17, but I noticed this evening while driving through Bath that prices ranged from $3.29 at the Mobil to $3.17 at the Cumberland Farms just 100 yards down the highway. And in Freeport one of the stations was at $3.35 -- gotta get those LLBean tourists, y'know.

And the roads are lousy! A rain-filled pothole on Forest Ave in Portland almost took off my right front wheel this evening, and even I-295 was like driving a courduroy road in the North Woods in places.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Diesel hit $4.08 today and the gas station says gasoline will be up 20 cents by Friday this week. It's already $3.39.

Maine Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Maine

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Coaster

in Freeport one of the stations was at $3.35 -- gotta get those LLBean tourists, y'know.
.

Or the Freeport residents!!!

[msina]

I just paid 3.47 a gallon for fuel oil. It is a bit high.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by msina

I just paid 3.47 a gallon for fuel oil. It is a bit high.

Unfortunately msina that $3.47 might look like a real bargain at this time next year!

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Unfortunately msina that $3.47 might look like a real bargain at this time next year!

Ain't that the truth. I remember back when gas was around $1.75 a gallon and thinking, Holy cow-this is expensive! At some point in time we are going to look back and think, $3.50, that was cheap!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I'm looking forward to my economic stimulus wood splitter.

[bringselpup]

Originally Posted by Coaster

I'm reading on other forums that gasoline has taken some pretty steep jumps elsewhere in the US in the last few days. Can't say that I've seen it as dramatically here, although the range of prices has widened a little. My benchmark station in Woolwich is still $3.17, but I noticed this evening while driving through Bath that prices ranged from $3.29 at the Mobil to $3.17 at the Cumberland Farms just 100 yards down the highway. And in Freeport one of the stations was at $3.35 -- gotta get those LLBean tourists, y'know.

Kennebunk Plaza I-95 northbound had $3.39 regular tonight and I smiled as I whizzed by. And this should fry pretty much everyones behind - I bought $2.89 regular in Aberdeen NJ two days ago. Now near as I can tell Maine has some pretty large port facilities so I doubt the gasoline we are buying gets trucked into the state. So what's up with an over 30 cents difference per gallon?