War, strike affect gas prices

Gas prices in Northern Nevada are on the rise with the threat of war with Iraq and a workers' strike in Venezuela, from which the United States imports most of its fuel.

The average price per gallon of gas in Nevada is $1.69, compared to $1.61 nationally, according to AAA.

In Carson City, drivers were paying $1.67 at the Arco AM/PM at Carson and Seventh streets, while Gardnerville and Minden AM/PM stations were charging $1.61.

Winner's Corner Chevron in Gardnerville is charging $1.71.

"I think everybody's unhappy with (the rising cost of gas), but that's just the way it is," said Art Nishio from Incline Village as he filled up his SUV at the Arco AM/PM at Carson and Seventh. "You can yell and scream about it all you want, but it's not going to change anything."

According to gaspricewatch.com, the highest price of a gallon of gas in the United States this week is $2.07 in Hawaii, and the lowest is $1.17 in Tacoma, Wash.

Obi Mobaligh, owner and operator of the Country Store Exxon station at 3389 Highway 50 East for two years, blames rising costs on the pending war with Iraq.

"The biggest problem is the uncertainty," he said. "We've been talking about it for so long, we should just do it. All this talk about war scares people a lot."

Mobaligh, who is originally from Afghanistan, suspects the United States will knock Saddam Hussein from power quickly and return the world to peace. "Then everyone can go back to normal," he said.

Until the war is over, however, it will disrupt the flow of petroleum.

"Ships cannot get to their destinations properly because of the war," he said. "Every time something happens in the world, it has a big effect on the gas market."

The sour economy also has Carson drivers shopping around for cheap gas, he said.

"People are trying to shop even for pennies so they can get more gas for their money."

Mobaligh estimates that a war with Iraq will cause gas prices to climb 10 to 15 cents per gallon.

"With the current situation, we are only making maybe 4 cents per gallon we sell," he said. "That's barely enough to survive."

AAA reports gas prices jumped 14 percent in the last month in Nevada.

"Nationally, this is the highest price recorded by AAA during February," said Sean Comey of the automobile association. "This is usually a time when prices are lower than during other months of the year."

Tips to save fuel and money

The Alliance to Save Energy offers tips to improve vehicle fuel economy and lower gasoline bills during the heaviest spring/summer driving season:

-- Refuel your rental car before returning it, or you may be hit with rates approaching $3 a gallon for a fill-up. In some locations, some rental companies also slap on an additional refueling surcharge.

-- When buying a new vehicle, think about higher gas mileage. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy Web site (www.fueleconomy.gov) and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy site (www.greenercars.com) for information on fuel-efficient vehicles.

-- Curtail aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking waste gas -- and curb mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to DOE. Avoid jackrabbit starts, opting instead for slow acceleration from a dead stop.

-- Show your vehicle a little tender loving care. Keep it properly tuned up, and change the air filter regularly to save gas and protect your engine.

-- Make sure your tires are properly inflated to increase fuel economy and make tires safer and last longer.

-- Slow down. Speeding wastes gas -- and money. Each mile per hour you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon, DOE says.

-- Use the recommended grade of motor oil to maximize fuel economy. Look for the "Energy Conserving" label that ensures friction-reducing additives.

n If your vehicle has an overdrive gear, use it when appropriate to reduce engine speed, save gas, and decrease engine wear.

-- Use cruise control on highway trips to maintain a steady speed and cut fuel consumption.

-- Pack lightly when traveling and avoid carrying items on the vehicle's roof.

-- Avoid excessive idling. Vehicles with larger engines typically waste even more gas at idling than those with smaller engines.

-- Combine your errands into one trip to save on fuel.

-- Whenever possible, take advantage of car pools and public transportation.