Assemblyman Thiele Releases Gas Price Survey For South Fork

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) recently released his gasoline price survey for the South Fork for January 31, 2015 which showed that gasoline prices continue to plunge from a high of about $4 per gallon this summer to just below $2.50 today.

However, Thiele states in a press release, that the unfair price differential caused by the unfair practice of zone pricing is continuing to result in higher prices when compared with the rest of Long Island and New York State.

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Zone pricing is defined as “the establishment of gas prices based on the geographical location of the retail outlet within the relevant geographic market, (the geographic area which is supplied by the same terminal facility), without regard to the posted terminal price and any additional costs where the effect is to injure competition,” according to the press release.

Prices declined on the South Fork by 50 cents since December to $2.49 per gallon, however, prices are still lower on the rest of Long Island and across the state.

Long Island prices are 14 cents less than the South Fork. South Fork prices are also 9 cents above the State average.

The Automobile Association of America (AAA) provides for a regional survey on New York State gasoline prices, but there is no survey solely for the South Fork.

Thiele’s survey also 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 our region’s main arterials.

“The average price for East Hampton and Southampton along Montauk Highway excluding Amagansett and Montauk is now $2.49,” Thiele said. “The average price for Amagansett and Montauk is $2.89. A gallon of gas on the North Fork is now about $2.20. The Long Island average is $2.35 and the State average is $2.40.”

According to the release, Thiele called upon the State Legislature to pass his legislation which would prohibit zone pricing and enact the recommendations of the State Attorney General to outlaw the practice of zone pricing of gasoline.

On June 17, 2014, the State Assembly passed Thiele’s bill by a bi-partisan 130-5 margin, but the bill never passed the Senate.

State Senator Ken LaValle sponsors the bill in the State Senate.

“For the consumers on the South Fork, Westchester, Rochester, Utica and other locations impacted by this unfair business practice, it is imperative that the Legislature approve this bill,” Thiele said.

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