Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Release #253-00

Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Mary Lasher (212) 788-2958
  Deborah Wetzel (DCA) 212/487-4283



MAYOR GIULIANI RELEASES SURVEY SHOWING
GASOLINE PRICES CONTINUE TO SOAR

11 Percent Increase in Self Service Gas Prices Since May and a
Whopping 44 Percent Jump Since June 1999

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane Hoffman, today announced results of a monthly Department of Consumer Affairs survey. This month's survey shows that regular and premium gasoline prices have jumped about 44% since June of last year, and that self service gasoline costs 11% more per gallon than it did last month.

Also in attendance at the press conference were Ralph Bombardiere, Executive Director of the Gasoline and Service Dealer's Association; Robert Sinclair, Jr. Manager of Public Information for the Automobile Club of New York, and Arnold Brown, a Board member and Secretary for the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, Inc.

The Department of Consumer Affairs surveyed 80 gas stations in the five boroughs. The average citywide price for one gallon of gasoline is currently $1.78 for regular and $1.92 for premium.

Mayor Giuliani said, "This increase affects all New Yorkers - from people trying to get to work to families taking their summer vacations to small business owners struggling to earn a profit. The Clinton administration has been asleep at the wheel while gas prices continue to skyrocket nationwide. In March of this year, the Clinton Administration told the nation gas prices would come down in time for summer vacations. Then in May, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson predicted gas prices would fall by September. Meanwhile, prices continue to rise, with no end in sight. The American people deserve relief."

Mayor Giuliani noted that crude oil prices are up sharply from a year ago. The price of crude oil is $33.05 a barrel, almost an 80% increase from last June when a barrel of crude oil sold for $17.00.

Commissioner Hoffman said, "The news is shocking when you compare gas prices for this June with prices from last June. At some stations, premium gas is costing drivers more than $2.00 a gallon. Many consumers are being forced to set aside more of their paycheck for gas or change their lifestyle so they use their car less."

The survey revealed that Brooklyn and Queens consumers are paying the most for gasoline, with an average price for regular at $1.79. The lowest average gas prices for regular gasoline were found on Staten Island at $1.75 per gallon.

The Department of Consumer Affairs conducts a monthly survey of gasoline prices in all five boroughs. While this latest survey revealed that prices have increased steadily since June of 1999, the main objective is to inform motorists of the least expensive places to buy gasoline. The latest survey was conducted on June 21 (highlights attached).

Consumers can click onto the Consumer Affairs website at www.nyc.gov/consumers to view the results of the monthly survey or call the Department of Consumer Affair's hotline at 212-487-4444.

Department of Consumer Affairs Gasoline Price Survey - Highlights June 2000

Month-To-Month Averages
  May '00 June '00 Percent Change
Regular $1.60 $1.78 +11%
Premium $1.75 $1.92 +10%

Least Expensive Gas Station - Regular Gas
Company Address Borough Price Per Gallon
Hess 502 W. 45th St. Manhattan $1.66
Merit 951 Bay St. Staten Island $1.69
Gulf 1255 East Gun Hill Rd. Bronx $1.70
Citigas 241-15 Hillside Ave. Queens $1.72
Merit 740 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn $1.73

Most Expensive Gas Station - Regular Gas
Company Address Borough Price Per Gallon
Exxon 291 W. 230th St. Bronx $1.90
Mobil 1132 York Ave. Manhattan $1.86
Sunoco 188-06 Hillside Ave. Queens $1.86
Amoco 516 Vanderbilt Ave. Brooklyn $1.84
Shell 1091 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island $1.80

Year to Year Averages

Regular
Borough June 1999 June 2000 Percent Change
Citywide Average $1.24 $1.78 +44%
Queens $1.23 $1.79 +46%
Brooklyn $1.24 $1.79 +44%
Staten Island $1.22 $1.75 +43%
Bronx $1.25 $1.78 +42%
Manhattan $1.30 $1.76 +35%

Premium
Borough June 1999 June 2000 Percent Change
Citywide Average $1.39 $1.92 +38%
Brooklyn $1.37 $1.93 +41%
Queens $1.39 $1.93 +39%
Bronx $1.39 $1.92 +38%
Staten Island $1.38 $1.91 +38%
Manhattan $1.44 $1.89 +31%


The DCA survey revealed that Brooklyn and Queens consumers are paying the most for gasoline, where the average price of regular is $1.79. the lowest average gas prices for regular gasoline were found Staten Island at $1.75 per gallon.

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