Energy costs on the rise

Steve Moyer/Herald Since 2001, prices at the pump have taken consumers on a roller-coaster ride, going up and down frequently. During the past month, the average price of motor vehicle fuels has increased about nine cents per gallon in Missouri. Analysts expect prices to remain high at least through May. Above, gas stations across the street from one another reflect the average cost of fuel in Nevada on Thursday.

By Steve Moyer

According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Energy Center, gasoline prices rose more than nine cents per gallon since OPEC announced in early February it was cutting production. Higher energy prices affect the price of everything from the cost of an annual vacation to the price of food on the table every day, but its effect is most noticeable at the pump.

The latest Missouri Energy Bulletin, published by the Energy Center, reports the statewide average price for unleaded regular was $1.604, up 9.4 cents since the Feb. 2 survey. That price is 11 cents less than the national average of $1.717.

Russell Baker, manager of Cash and Dash 1 on Osage, in Nevada, said the rise in prices is clearly seen in receipts at the convenience store on Osage. "Sales are off. I think the increase will affect how people travel. As long as the price is over $1.50 it'll probably stay slow."

Lacy Hines, the manager of another Cash and Dash, this one on Austin at the west edge of Nevada, has a different perspective.

"People need it. They still need it just as often as they needed it before, they just complain a lot more now. They seem pretty frustrated about it."

Hines noted that farmers also have been hard hit by increased prices. "The farmers are the ones I think that get it the worst. They're the ones that use the most gas. They make jokes about mortgaging the farm to buy gas and it's just about at that point."

Both managers pointed out that retailers make little on the sale of gasoline, the only way they stay in business is on other lines of merchandise.

"There have been times this last summer where we lost a couple of pennies a day. Gas costs us a different price every day and we go as long as we can to not have to change that sign and there's been a time that one of us will get gas and it'll be up and the other two are lucky enough to ride until it goes down again and I'll sit out here and lose a penny or two on a gallon of gas. It's hurt business a little bit, there's no profit in gasoline," said Hines.

Truckers face fuel costs each day. Jimmy Greer, owner of five trucks, said that a 10 cent increase amounted to $7.50 per truck, per day. While that doesn't seem a terrible burden at first glance, that amounts to $187.50 per week and an additional $750 per month for his operation.

"That money is usually not something I can get back. Companies set the rates and while some of them will have some sort of partial fuel surcharge but even then the most you get back is something like half of the increased cost," Greer said.

Sources agreed on one thing, though -- whether you're a trucker who drives full time or a commuter who drives only a few miles each day, the rise and fallof fuel prices can create much impact on daily life.