Thiele: Gas Prices Increased on the South Fork

A gasoline price survey released conducted by local Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) showed that gas prices for the South Fork increased over the summer, according to a press release.

Thiele’s gas survey showed that gas prices in the South Fork have increased by 24 cents from about $2.85 in May to $3.09 cents in July, according to the release.

Gas prices on the South Fork are higher than the rest of Long Island by 12 cents, where prices only increased by 4 cents since May, and 19 cents higher than the State average, according to Thiele.

Thiele’s survey includes prices in western Southampton along Montauk Highway.

There may be prices that are higher or lower in the region away from Montauk Highway, but the survey reflects the price posted at most stations on the region’s main arterials.

According to Thiele, the average price of gas in East Hampton and Southampton along Montauk Highway excluding Amagansett and Montauk, is now $3.09.

The average price for Amagansett and Montauk is $3.49, Thiele said.

However, on the North Fork, gas prices is about $2.85 per gallon, which is less than the both the Long Island average of $2.97 and State average of $2.90, Thiele said.

In addition, the new Speedway stations, which have replaced most of the Hess stations across the South Fork, increased substantially since the takeover in the spring, Thiele said in a press release.

Thiele called upon the State Senate to pass his legislation which would prohibit zone pricing.

“There is no other conclusion to reach other than the fact that prices have been fixed at a higher level on the South Fork for the busy summer season,” he said. “This is unfair and should be illegal. The local residents of a region should not have to endure artificially high gas prices just so that Big Oil companies can soak summer visitors.”