A recent drive from Madawaska to Brewer proved interesting when I watched the fluctuation in the price of gas at service stations. On Jan. 14 the average price of regular grade gas as marked on the pump ranged from $1.329 in Presque Isle, Van Buren and Bridgewater to $1.119 in Brewer. In Houlton and Mars Hill the price was a mere 2 cents less than surrounding areas. In Madawaska the price was a comparatively low, $1.249.

The state’s assertions of transportation costs affecting Aroostook County prices do not hold when they look at more than the figures that were provided to them. For the past several months the price in Madawaska has been lower than that of the rest of the county. Using the prices I recorded, transportation costs 4 cents a gallon to cross the bridge from Brewer to Bangor where the price was $1.159. Over the 100 miles of interstate to Houlton 15 cents were added, while the next 100 miles subtracted 6 cents from the price. It is interesting that twice the distance can be traveled for half the price. I wish my car would work the same way, costing less the more I drive.

Another factor that affects the state’s reasoning is the price differential of diesel fuel. Bangor had a posted price of $1.259 while Houlton and Madawaska were also at $1.259. Only two places had any difference; Presque Isle was charging $1.279 and Bridgewater was the low, $1.229. Apparently diesel fuel can transport itself to most places for free, unlike all other commodities.

It is obvious that while the fuel retailers may not be fixing the price of gas as a group, they are definitely gouging a captive market. Ben Albert Madawaska