More Pain at the Pump: Tri-Cities Drivers Blast Rising Gas Prices

As gasoline prices continue to climb in Union City and the Bay Area, Tri-Cities residents say they are cutting back on driving, using public transportation when possible and carrying cash to take advantage of cheaper gas prices.

A new report shows gas prices are rising on a daily basis.

The California State Automobile Association released its monthly gas price survey today.

It notes the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Northern California has risen to $4.17, a 27-cent leap from a month ago.

In the East Bay, the average price has jumped to $4.24, a 28-cent hike from a month ago. That's also a 16 cent increase from one week ago – an average of more than two cents a day.

In Union City, a gallon of regular unleaded costs an average of $4.21 a gallon, a 6-cent jump from a week ago.

A year ago, the average price in the East Bay was $3.10. That's $1.14 less than it now costs.

In Union City, Jennifer Kham filled up $40 worth of gas in her minivan. A visitor from Chico, she stopped at the Valero because it was near her friend's home. She got lucky, because at $4.17, it's among the cheapest gas stations in Union City.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the lowest gas price in Union City was at Abe gas station at $4.15 per gallon of regular unleaded.

"It's ridiculous," Kham said, noting that prices in Chico are only slightly lower. With the recent rise in prices, Kham said she's started car pooling and walking more than she used to. 

"I don't use the car unless I need to," she said.

Union City resident Gloria Patterson has also altered her transportation habits. She's started walking a mile each way to pick up her daughters from school, instead of driving, just to cut corners. But, in most instances, she doesn't have much of a choice, she said.

"It's horrible, but what can we do? We've got to get to where we need to go," Patterson said.

While filling up at the Valero station on Thornton Avenue Tuesday morning, Newark resident Kim Waldschmidt said she’s trying to save cash at the pumps by using BART and shopping around for the best prices.

“I always carry cash in order to pay the cheaper prices,” Waldschmidt said.

Newark Valero customers can fill up for $4.13 per gallon of regular unleaded Tuesday, as long as they used cash.

Waldschmidt says she and her husband both work in order to raise their three children.

“Look at this, $70 is not enough to fill up my truck. That was all I had in cash,” Waldschmidt pointed out. “It’s not just the gas prices. There are the bridge tolls and other things that add up in our cost of living. I don’t think workers’ wages are keeping up with all that.”

Newark resident Diane Zapata says she finds herself shopping for cheap gas prices more than ever before.

“I had never gotten gas at Costco because my card wouldn't swipe,” Zapata said in an e-mail message to Newark Patch. “I actually made time to get a new card issued so I could start getting gas there.  Also, I've been using the Android apps like 'Where' to find the lowest gas prices closest to me.”

Zapata says she and her husband are looking at other items in their budget to make ends meet, like cooking at home more and eating out less. She says it helps that her husband has a company car and gas card. She also drives a fuel-efficient vehicle.

“I bought a Civic Hybrid in 2004 and I plan on continuing with that vehicle until the wheels fall off,” she said.

The rise has occurred despite the fact the demand for gasoline has decreased across the United States the past couple weeks.

Officials at Triple A say the weak U. S. dollar as well as unrest in Libya, Syria, Yemen and other Middle East countries are helping fuel the rise.

However, they say the biggest cause is speculators on the commodities market.

"Investors continue to be the largest force driving the market price for oil," said Matt Skryja, an AAA Northern California spokesman. "Instability in the Middle East and North Africa still has them concerned about the world's supply of crude, which has helped keep oil prices on the rise."

Jay McKeeman, the vice president of government relations for the California Independent Oil Marketers Association, agrees.

He also blames speculators for the high price of gasoline.

"It's all because of the price of crude. As crude prices rise, the price of gas rises," McKeeman said.

Sean Comey, a spokesman for Chevron Corporation, said about two-thirds of the cost of gasoline comes from the price of crude oil. He added most of the rest of the price is due to federal, state and sales taxes.

Some critics contend oil companies should accept a smaller profit margin during these economic times. However, Comey said Chevron reinvests its earnings into exploring and developing new sources of oil and natural gas as well as producing alternative energy such as geothermal power.

He noted Chevron earned $19 billion in 2010, but it spent $22 billion on energy exploration and development. The company plans to spend $26 billion this year in its capital and exploratory budget.

But until gas prices come down, some Tri-Cities residents have managed to leave their cars behind for their work commute.

Newark resident Darrin Sawyer parked his bike next to the AC Transit bus stop outside of A & S station on Thornton Avenue Tuesday. This station had the cheapest gas in Newark at $4.11 per gallon of regular unleaded.

“I feel healthier,” Sawyer said. “Plus, it takes me $2 to get to work on the bus.”

Sawyer says he uses his car for grocery shopping or when it’s raining.

“The older you get, the harder it is to stay in shape,” Sawyer said. “Also, the more we drive cars, the more we destroy Mother Earth. You can’t live without Mother Earth, and she can’t live without us.”