Gasoline equation

Scott Wingate (Dec. 31 letter to the editor) asked a very good question that many of us in Bucksport are wondering about and becoming increasingly frustrated with. When I can buy gas in “downtown” Castine for 5 cents a gallon cheaper than Bucksport, then something is wrong. Clearly, Irving and Exxon have every intention of continuing to charge high prices, which increased by another 2 cents (to $1.67 a gallon) on Dec. 30 and 31, respectively. However, until the people in Bucksport are willing to drive a few extra miles to purchase gas (Snow’s Corner in Orrington, Perry’s in Stockton Springs, Brewer or Ellsworth), Irving and Exxon are going to continue to be able to charge these outrageous prices.

Perhaps representatives from these two companies could answer Wingate’s question, “… explain in layman’s terms why gas prices in Bucksport are, on average, 12 cents a gallon higher than Searsport to the south, Ellsworth to the east, and Bangor to the north.”

I have a hard time believing there is a reasonable explanation for pricing. It doesn’t seem like much money when you consider a single gas purchase, but think about this equation. If you purchase 40 gallons of gas a week (an average two-car family) and paid 12 cents less a gallon, you’d have an additional $249.60 in your pocket.

Deidra A. Davis

Director of financial aid

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine