Despite recent drop, prices exceed national average by 26 cents

By RYAN HUTCHINS

PLATTSBURGH -- Paralleling the national trend, gas prices in the North Country are falling.

But the region continues to have some of the most expensive fuel in the country, eclipsing the national average by 26 cents.

The average price of regular fuel was $3.96 per gallon Sunday, according to a Press-Republican survey of 20 area stations. Mid-grade was at $4.12 and premium was at $4.21.

According to a Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations nationwide, the average price Friday was $3.70 for regular. The other two grades were at $3.83 and $3.95.

Residents of California, the state that had the highest average, are paying 2 cents less than North Country drivers.

Area drivers say it's nice to see the cost at the pump drop.

"Every little bit helps," said Jackie Robertin, a Plattsburgh resident, as she filled up at Sunshine Sunoco on Sunday afternoon.

She said it's been hard to cut down on driving over the summer, as she juggled multiple jobs. "Sometimes you just don't have any other option."

Robertin said she was taking advantage of a new program between Price Chopper and Sunoco gas stations that rewards the grocery store's customers with gas discounts.

For every $50 spent at Price Chopper, a shopper receives 10 cents off per gallon at Sunoco stations, with a 20 gallon limit.

"I got myself 40 cents off, so I'm going to take advantage of it," Robertin said.

At Sunshine, operator Phil Dubuque has added on to that offer with his own deal. Buy a pound of his deli ham, get another 25 cents off per gallon.

It's worked out well, too. He doubled the number of gallons pumped this July over last July. Sunoco stations overall have seen an increase.