Gas prices continue steady rise in Schuylkill County

Mar. 2—FRACKVILLE — The rising cost of gas since the beginning of the year is causing sticker shock not only for drivers, but those who sell the product, too.

One expert said the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is partly to blame, a case of optimism for a return to normal leading to higher demand.

The price per gallon has risen about every other week, and it's selling for about $2.99 or a few pennies less at many places in Schuylkill County.

The increase has not affected driving and gas purchases yet, those interviewed said, though it may come to that if prices continue to increase.

At Miller's Gas and Service on Lehigh Avenue in Frackville, drivers stopped at the pumps for a fill-up Monday afternoon. The station is owned and operated by Francis Miller, 77, who still provides full-service, following in the footsteps of his late father, Francis Miller, who founded the business in 1945.

He was being assisted Monday by Dennis Bendrick, of Frackville, who helps at the pumps and works in the garage.

"Full-serve is our niche. That's what our father taught us," Miller said. "I've been here for 47 years."

Stopping in was Ashley Stauffer, of Shenandoah Heights, who stayed in her vehicle as Miller filled the tank. Asked about coping with the price increase, Stauffer said she is fortunate.

"I don't do a lot of driving, so I only have to get gas once a week," Stauffer said. "No one in my family drives much, so it doesn't really bother us."

Many of the customers had the same situation of not being long-distance drivers.

Tara Malafarina, of Ashland, who works in Frackville, was another local customer who said her driving was limited.

"This is the place I come to for gas," Malafarina said.

Miller feels bad about the increased cost.

"It seems that when it goes up, it goes up gradually until the people seem to get adapted to it and seem to accept it," he said between customers. "There are people who can't afford it and it's a shame. They do slow up on their driving to save money."

Miller found a front-page newspaper clipping and photo of himself pumping gas with the headline telling of the major increase in prices in 2000 to the staggering $1.39 a gallon. It was an indication that he's been through these circumstances before.

Market factors

AAA (American Automobile Association) East Central Public and Community Relations Manager Jim Garrity said there are varying factors that lead to changes in fuel prices.

Major factors at play this time include the storm that shut down more than 40% of oil refineries located on the Gulf Coast, and a rise in crude oil "pretty consistently" since the start of the year, Garrity said from Pittsburgh.

"It's $62 (a barrel) today, which is nearly $14 to $15 more expensive than it was at the beginning of the year," he said. "Crude oil is more than 50 cents of every dollar you spend at the pump. So even small changes lead to big increases for the consumers."

Factors around the world can cause changes in oil prices.

"You have to think about oil on a global scale," he said. "Hiccups somewhere across the world can lead to big changes in the cost of oil. We're at the moment that the rise of crude oil prices is largely based on market optimism on the vaccine rollouts. Like everything else in the world, when the pandemic hit, crude oil prices were drastically changed mostly because it drove demand for oil across the world just through the floor. The market responded optimistically through the vaccine rollouts" and now demand is rising.

Garrity said prices will settle when the crude oil market stabilizes, and the operational return of more refineries could help ease prices. He also noted that we are entering the season where prices have a tendency to increase due to increased gasoline consumption.

"It's kind of taking it day by day at this point from our end when it comes to analysis," Garrity said.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023