LANSING, NY (607NewsNow) — Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler has questions about gas prices.
In a letter sent Thursday to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Sigler is asking for an investigation into gas prices. Sigler says prices in Tompkins County are consistently higher than in neighboring counties. He notes a significant rise recently.
“Fuel prices across New York and the United States have risen sharply in recent weeks following instability in global oil markets associated with the conflict involving Iran and disruptions to crude oil supply. The national average price of gasoline recently climbed to approximately $3.48 per gallon, while the New York State average has risen to roughly $3.40 per gallon,” Sigler wrote.
“These increases have occurred rapidly, with some markets experiencing increases of nearly fifty cents per gallon within a single week. Such sudden spikes place significant strain on working families, commuters, and small businesses throughout Upstate New York. While geopolitical events understandably affect global energy markets, it is important to ensure that retail pricing practices remain fair and consistent with underlying wholesale costs. This gasoline does not come from oil purchased today, but oil purchased by refiners months ago. One would expect higher oil prices to be reflected in a couple of months, but the next day?”
Also in his letter, Sigler calls into question why Tompkins County’s gas prices are consistently higher, citing AAA data from November to early this year.
“These figures demonstrate that drivers in Tompkins County frequently pay 20 to 35 cents more per gallon than motorists in nearby communities such as Chemung County and Onondaga County. This pricing disparity has persisted over time and cannot easily be explained by distance or transportation costs alone, particularly given that these markets operate within the same regional fuel distribution network.”
Sigler is asking Attorney General James for a review of gas price increases and the disparity in prices between Tompkins County and nearby counties.
Governor Kathy Hochul and AG James recently warned the public about price gouging associated with the conflict in Iran, urging anyone who believes they’ve encountered excessively high prices to file a complaint.
