Here’s a gas problem that Pepto-Bismol won’t cure.
Automobile drivers all across Greater Trail have experienced a pain in the gas this week as the price per litre of regular gasoline has jumped by eight cents, setting the bar at $1.28.9 per liter.
In Trail the price is steady across the board at $1.28.9 at the city’s pumps, according to BCGasPrices.com, a rise of eight cents since late last week. In Warfield the FasGas has registered two increases at the pumps in the last few days, now sitting at $1.28.7 per litre.
The latest jump follows a national trend where prices have risen as much as 14 cents in Montreal (to $1.44 a litre) — with the Canadian average rising one cent to $1.28 — and to $1.42.2 in Vancouver, up six cents on average.
Energy-industry experts warned that the increase was just a taste of the high fuel costs Canadians can expect in the coming months.
Some experts predict we could be paying as much $1.50 per litre this summer, as gas prices generally rise as the weather warms and more people are on the road.
That price may drive some people across the border in search of cheaper gasoline as they endeavour to fill the cavernous tanks in their motor homes. But the rise in price per gallon has also afflicted pumps south of the border, with the Northport Chevron — south of Rossland — reporting $3.78.9 per gallon (approximately $1 per litre).
“That is up 26 cents (per gallon) in the last few days,” said an employee at the station.
That increase works out to around six cents per litre, still less than the eight-cent rise that has hit many West Kootenay pumps.
Nelson and Castlegar are all reporting an eight-cent increase according to BCGasPrices.com, although the Castlegar Mohawk, rated the highest by the website at $1.34.9 per litre, wouldn’t confirm its price at the pump. Grand Forks reported $1.29.9, while Nakusp was $1.23.9 and Salmo was $1.28.9.
Change is slow to hit the Slocan Valley where the Slocan Valley Co-op still sits at $1.20.9, the lowest gas price in the entire region along with Fruitvale’s Petro Canada. But the prices are expected to rise in Fruitvale.
“They might go up this week,” said an employee.
Creston was also $1.20.9 — with the Esso at $1.28.9 — while gas prices ranged from $1.20.9 to $1.34.9 in Cranbrook, and up to $1.29.9 in Kelowna.
The record national average of $1.40 hit during the summer of 2008.
when crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline — rose to US$147 a barrel and drove the price above $1.40 per litre.
According to the New York Mercantile Exchange on Tuesday, the North American price for a barrel of crude was US$106.55 per barrel.