Editorial

Gas bite may be less painful for Christmas

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Gassing up for the trip over the river and through the woods may be a little cheaper, thanks to a recent move by the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The state announced Monday that Nebraska's variable gas tax rate will be cut to 23 cents from 27 cents per gallon.

According to API Energy, that puts Nebraska's gas tax at 42.3 after the adjustment, lower than both the national average of 46.9 and two of our neighboring states, Kansas with 43.4 and South Dakota with 42.4.

That should benefit border towns like McCook, where commuters may choose Nebraska stations for lower prices.

That's not the only reason prices should be lower, ranging from $2.85 to $3 per gallon, according to AAA Nebraska.

Last week, the Energy Information Administration reported processed gasoline inventories increased by 1.6 million gallons. On Thursday, the EIA reported those inventories were up another 3 million gallons.

Crude oil supplies for the week dropped by 7.6 million barrels, according to the same EIA report.

Gassing up will still be painful, but it should be better than it was earlier this year, according to AAA Nebraska.

Now if McCook's gasoline prices could just match some of the lower prices in adjoining towns ...

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