diirk

I've been watching the dramatic increase in Diesel prices, about 5 times what Unleaded has increased in the past two weeks, and was wondering if anyone knows why, or might have some idea. This website: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp
shows just how much of an increase in comparison to regular gas. Since I live in California, this is of special concern to me.

Shovelhead

At my "usual" station, diesel is 2 cents higher than Unleaded Regular.
It's usually priced between Mid-Grade and Premium Unleaded.

Right now, $1.729 gal for 45 cetane.

cumminnotstrokn

Yeah the station I buy at has gone from 1.86 to 2.21 in the past two weeks for diesel while the rest of the country it has gone up tenths of a cent What The... can you say gouging!


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INsIdious

Here in Southern Oklahoma diesel is 1.46. Unleaded is 1.67. The unleaded has been on the move up. But diesel has been staying steady for the last few months.

infidel

I think what happens when the fuel prices start climbing into record territories the petro companies raise the price of diesel more percentage wise so they can raise the price of gas less and still break even (or keep their record profits up).
Doing it this way helps keep the majority masses of gassers from complaining as much.

diirk

I work on Edwards AFB, and they usually price match to the cheapest local station. Price wise, we've gone up from $1.83 last week to $2.19. Unleaded went up about $.03. It just doesn't make sense! I don't think there is enought Diesel sales to offset the regular gas markup, unless you count the commercial customers, in which case, I'd think that the fuel companies would want to cater to them more than the consumer.

wannadiesel

Diesel's been steady in my area. Now that the heating season is over, there is less demand so the price on diesel hasn't jumped like gas has. I'm now paying less than regular unleaded.

induchman

This isn't rocket science. More simply the pipelines that supply us in the Gulf Coast States don't extend to CA. We have the bulk of the refineries, and CA doesn't. Our refiners supply everyone up and down the Big Muddy and beyond.

CA also has higher and stricter laws concerning pollutants and for that single reason, causes higher prices. Now MBTE (a well known carcinogen) is still required for low pollution fuels. Until Kalifornia's Governor decides to relax the rules, his constitutents will continue to be gouged.

No new refineries have been built since sometime in the 70's. With three recent refinery fires, lower stocks and a 4% cutback by OPEC, prices have no where to go but up.

GA prices remain low (due to state taxes) at $1.499 for diesel; $1.579-1.659 for 87 octane.

diirk

induchman:
What you say is true...to a point.
It still doesn't explain an 8% increase in less than two weeks, that appears to be localized to California and does not apply to regular gas.

cumminnotstrokn

Isn't it always convenient how they always seem to have a refinery fire in the springtime so they can raise prices (gouge) all summer long. What is even more interesting I don't recall anyone getting hurt in any of these fires recently like the plant is on auto pilot.

Timinva

In Va Beach it is 1.509 - 1.549 diesel and 1.659 for 87 ru. All I can find is 40 cetane though. Diesel has pretty much stabilized for the last month or so. Tim

induchman

Hey, whatever the traffic will bear. Actually the price of crude has dropped a few dollars from the $38/bbl high reached a week or so ago. http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/com...rgyprices.html But you need to look at the NYMEX prices for landed gas and heating oil. Take those prices and add federal and state taxes and that's what you should be paying + transportation.

There were several injured in the fires, at the Exxon and BP refineries in Texas and the Giant facility in New Mexico.

jrs_dodge_diesel

I have noticed it to here in Dan Diego. I usually fill up at the Marine base, where diesel has been the cheapest I have found here. Gas has remained fairly steady with 87 octane at 2.05. Three weeks ago I was paying 1.75 for diesel. 2 weeks ago it went up to 1.85. Last week 1.95. I saw the price yesterday and it is now 2.05. I am wondering what happened too.

12PACK

Ditto here in central MA. There's a high volume dealer near me just off the highway, and diesel has been $1.75 for atleast 2 months, maybe 3. Gas prices climbed steadily and now 87 octane is $1.73, whereas diesel used to be closer to 89 octane.

MikeyB

In my area diesel is 5 to 10 cents cheaper than unleaded at the moment.

MikeyB