Somewhere, Steven Chu is smiling

Gas prices hit $8.89 per gallon in Verona, NJ today.

No, that's not a misprint.

It's a protest. The local LukOil gas station owners are mad because the Russian Mafiya charges them an extra 5 to 20 cents per gallon over the other regional suppliers. So they can't compete on price, and they're losing money.

They cooked up this stunt to draw attention to their plight, in the hope customers will call LukOil to complain. They've got a handy-dandy flyer asking for our help.

"Please call LukOil today at 856-722-6425 and tell them to start selling gasoline to small business retailers at justifiable market prices!"

I'm sure LukOil is waiting by the phone. Because Vladmir Putin cares what the people of Verona think. Really. He does.

By the way, no one paid $8.89 per gallon. Folks drove away, searching for a better deal down the road.

Of course, if Steven Chu has his way, $8.89 per gallon will be a bargain. We're halfway there already, my wife paid $4.21 yesterday morning.

Perhaps LukOil isn't overcharging, they're just ahead of their time, and on board with the Obama Administration's desire to raise our gas prices to match Europe's.

The thing is, gas in Verona, Italy is cheaper right now. It's 1.73 € per liter, which works out to $8.479 per gallon. Yeah, if Steven Chu was in Verona today, he'd have one big old grin on his face for sure. The rest of us, not so much.

Posted at 22:34 by Chris Wysocki   [/agw]   Comments | Perm Link |
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