Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal According to the AAA August 2006 Gas Price report the average cost of gas per gallon in Carson City has increased 3 cents over the past month. With the peak travel season winding down, gas station along South Carson Street reflect that price fluctuation.
It's the same story as the summer wears on: gas prices are increasing.
The average price of regular unleaded gas in Carson City is $3.05, up 3 cents from July, according to AAA Nevada. Some local station owners say their prices have remained steady.
"It's about the same as last month," said Ashley Sharma, manager of Eagle Gas on Carson Street. "We haven't raised any gas prices since last month, so I don't know how they think it's been up."
The average price of retail gas in Nevada is now $3.07, a 5-cent increase from the last AAA survey in mid-July. Nevada still ranks 11th in the country for the highest average gas price among other states.
Reno is at $3.12, a 3-cent increase from last month, but a 39-cent increase over last year. The national average increased to $3, up 3 cents from last month's survey.
Michael Geeser, spokesperson for AAA Nevada, said prices did not increase significantly because of a BP pipeline shutdown in Alaska, despite what industry analysts had predicted. A cease-fire in Lebanon seems to have eased concerns that the military conflict there might spread throughout the Middle East region and threaten oil production.
Labor Day marks the end of summer as kids head back to school and summer vacations come to an end. Barring an unforeseen shift in supply, many experts believe gas prices will fall, according to Geeser.
Eagle Gas owner Mohammad Ahmed said his company is having a problem with securing its supplies from the pipeline. When gas is in a shorter supply, the companies give priority to "branded" stations, such as Shell or Exxon. Eagle Gas owns two unbranded gas stations.
"When they are running out of gas they just keep it for themselves, the branded gas stations," he said Tuesday.
Despite difficulties inherent to the industry, such as international strife, the rising cost of crude and limited numbers of refineries, a Carson City man is entering the service station industry.
Bobby Thind took over ownership of the Carson City Shell from Mike Miller on July 29. Carson City Shell & Liquor, 1600 N. Carson St., is his entrance into the market.
His partner is Harbans Handa, according to the city. They plan on investing $1.5 million to add on a convenience store.
"We're going to remodel the convenience store and put in liquor, beer and wine," he said. "We're working on the permits."
Thind plans to add about 1,000 square feet to the north side of the automotive shop for the convenience store.
Sundance Automotive took over the shop. Its license was granted this week. The new owner is Robert Spiker.
Thind is a former owner of the Frontier Motel, which sold in February 2006 to Hardip Singh for $2.4 million, according to the city assessor's office. Thind owns Lakeside Liquor at Lake Tahoe and Best Discounts liquor store in Fallon.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
August gas prices
Carson City - $3.05, up 3 cents from July
Reno - $3.12, up 3 cents
Las Vegas - $3, up 6 cents
State - $3.07, up 5 cents
National - $3, up 3 cents