South Fork gas prices worry Assemb. Thiele

Just as the summer tourism season is getting into high gear, gas prices on the South Fork are higher than most elsewhere on Long Island, according to a monthly survey taken by State Assemb. Fred Thiele Jr. (I-Sag Harbor).

A year ago Thiele began surveying about 27 gas stations along Montauk Highway, from his own car. In his latest survey, issued June 27, Thiele found South Fork prices 30 cents higher than the Long Island average. He said motorists are paying $3.95 for a gallon of regular between East Hampton and Southampton. The average for western Southampton is $3.79

Islandwide, on Friday, the average price per gallon was $3.65, according to the AAA's office in Garden City.

Gas prices have fallen on the East End, the Island as a whole, and in the state. Thiele said that gas prices on the East End are higher during holidays such as Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day. But he said they are "inelastic," falling at a slower rate than prices elsewhere in the state or on the Island.

The higher prices, Thiele said, may be hurting tourism, but they are impacting year-round residents as well, which he said is his major concern.

"There's not a lot of mass transit on the East End," he said.

Thiele called for the State Senate to pass his bill that would strengthen already existing legislation that put some pressure on gas wholesalers to minimize price differences based solely on geography. Thiele's bill was passed by the Assembly this past session but needs Senate approval.

AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair Jr. said pricing differences such as Thiele has found are not unusual. Higher prices are more common in resort areas as well as areas of high traffic volume, he said.

And there is not good news ahead for motorists anywhere, he said: Gas prices are likely to rise again soon, given a jump in the price of crude oil.

"There could be a pretty rapid uptick in prices" at the pump, Sinclair said.