It's still no holiday at the fuel pumpPrices down a bit from July, but much higher than last Labor Day By Prentiss Findlay (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Post and Courier 
Mic Smith Gas prices are going down locally and nationally, as seen Thursday at the Blue Water gas station off the Crosstown Expressway in Charleston. While filling up his Suzuki for $87, Bernard Green had one word for the state of gas prices on this Labor Day weekend. "Disgusting," Green said. Three years ago, he could fill his pickup for $50. Gas prices will keep him at home in Charleston instead of visiting relatives in Atlanta, he said. Charlestonians Green, Carl Pierce and Robert Esbedeo bought gas Thursday at a Texaco on East Bay Street where regular was $3.59 per gallon. "The real danger is that it's become the new norm. It's almost like the shock effect of $4 per gallon is gone," Pierce said. AAA Carolinas reported Thursday that prices for regular gas in Charleston have dropped, on average, 34 cents since the Fourth of July but have risen about $1 per gallon since last Labor Day. AAA Carolinas said the number of people traveling over Labor Day is expected to drop. About 352,000 South Carolinians are expected to drive more than 100 miles round trip this weekend, a .08 percent decrease from last year. "Travelers earlier this summer saw gas prices hit new record highs almost daily and it forced many of them to change their vacation plans," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. In Charleston, the highest recorded average for regular gas was $3.92 a gallon July 16. South Carolina's average is $3.44 per gallon, a decrease of 42 cents since July 4 but an increase of 93 cents over last year. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of regular gas is $3.66. The Labor Day weekend travel numbers are based on research from surveys and a forecast model developed by the Travel Industry Association. The data was collected in online surveys of more than 2,000 adults nationwide and supplemented by an additional 6,500 Americans surveyed from the top 10 travel origins in the nation. |
Article toolsSponsored Links |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 3 comment(s)
Posted by chucktonian on August 29, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gas is cheap, especially compared to other countries around the world. $3.40 a gallon is a bargain (walmart in goose creek)
people whose economic lives are destroyed by $3.40 a gallon gas have bigger problems than the price of gas and are whiners
Posted by NOSOFAST on August 29, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the new " Norm " and you better get use to it quick! There are adjustments to be made and the sooner the better! These trips across town to save a little money on " this or that " are going to cost you money these days in higher transportation costs getting there n back . You are going to have learn to drive less, shop closer to home, n combine your shopping in less trips. There is but sooo much money to go around my friends . If you don't adjust your spending habits soon - you'll find yourself getting behind on your bills very quickly tooooooo ....
Posted by charlestonnative1963 on August 29, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chucktonian what a pure Republican response.We must drive less- find alternative fuel, and end our dependence on oil. But let me assure you, before the election gas WILL come down to a level of what it should be when it's at this level per barrel at its current rate (should be around $2.00 agallon). The Republicans will manipulate the price-get it down for November as they THINK we have limited memory- then it will return to $4.00 as they are in the pockets of the oil executives...but thats OK-let SC continue to vote Republican in every election and we will start to pay---but we all pay one way or another. LEt them argue over abortion, gay rights, global warming, etc, etc, etc whle they ignore the real issues. The economy, Global warming, sea level rise, air quality, over population, etc.