Thiele Pushes to Bring Gas Prices Down

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele has some positive ideas on managing high fuel prices. There are frustrations about the price of fuel all across the United States. On the East End we seem to pay a premium compared to the rest of the nation. For years there had been a zone pricing program by local oil and gas distributors approved by New York State that in effect had legalized higher pricing on the East End making gas 30 to 40 cents higher than UpIsland. In August 2008, the New York State Consumer Protection and Fair and Equitable Motor Fuel Pricing Act was passed to prevent zone pricing. Zone pricing is a system in which retail gas stations in more affluent communities are charged more money for gasoline and diesel fuel. It is called a “demographic marketing tool” by the large oil companies who never seem to miss a way to turn a profit. At first, in 2008-2009, the new law helped lower prices so that they were in line with UpIsland prices, but then the companies found the loopholes. I turned to New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, long a champion of this issue, to help explain what can be done, is being done and should be done to address what seems to be an injustice.
Always helpful, Thiele said, “There’s obviously a limit on what state government can do with regard to gas prices…much of it is national and international. But I’ve introduced three bills on issues where we do have a voice….” His first bill was for “Tax policy…tax-free holidays for Memorial Day…4th of July and Labor Day.”  This could reduce the cost of gas by up to 35 cents. His second bill concerned what he calls “open supply,” he said, “permitting retail dealers to buy unbranded fuels on the open market…(East Enders) could save up to 20 cents.” The third bill was to readdress “zone pricing…strengthen the current law to cover both retail and wholesale transactions…and give retailers the right to enforce the law by bringing the big oil companies to court….” Thiele says, “These items together would make the gasoline more competitive and benefit consumers…ultimately though…the focus has to be on alternative fuels that reduce reliance on foreign oil.”
The 30 to 40-cent premium fuel surcharge added to all fuel delivered to the South Fork has an effect on the commercial boat owners who buy their fuel on the East End too. It is costing them an extra $3,000 to $4,000 per thousand gallons of fuel purchased. There are no “Prius Boats,” and it’s been a while since sailboats went out fishing commercially. Clearly, something has to give.
Hopefully the price of fuel will go down, and the truth is Fred Thiele’s ideas will help in managing this menace of high gas prices. An East End friend of mine put it this way, “It’s annoying standing at the pump feeling like you’re being taken.” The good news is that at the moment gas prices seem to be softening so that the $5 per gallon fear for Memorial Day never happened. In fact it is heading below $4 again. Some of Assemblyman Thiele’s ideas must be looked at by everyone else up in Albany even with the shortage of tax revenue facing the state. Gas price relief is a good cause, for both car owners and commercial fishing boat owners. Just a plain fact.