NORTHAMPTON — Gas prices in Massachusetts are continuing to rise, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas hitting a record high on Tuesday.
AAA’s gas price tracker notes that its recorded price of $4.43 is the highest average price for a gallon of regular gas ever recorded in the commonwealth, and was 6 cents higher than the average price for a gallon of gas nationally on Tuesday, which was $4.37 cents a gallon. That’s 25 cents higher than a month ago, and $1.40 more than a year ago.
Hampshire County’s average price came in a little lower than the state’s at $4.39 a gallon.
At different Hampshire County gas stations, area residents expressed displeasure at the price of gas.
“Gas prices are way too high,” said Doug Havens, of Florence. “Obviously, we all need them to come down.”
Havens also said that stopping “the war” would probably help.
“It would be nice for them, for us, for everybody,” he said.
Brandon Braithwaite, a newspaper carrier from South Hadley, described the gas prices as “outrageous.”
He also expressed support for releasing oil from the national stockpile, and said he’s been using apps to save on gas.
“Anything to save money,” he said.
Ted Perch, of Easthampton, described the gas prices as “utterly insane.”
“The oil companies, they’re not losing money,” Perch said. “So, why are we paying so much all of a sudden?”
He also expressed happiness at having a Toyota Prius that gets 50 miles to a gallon, although he still said that “you’ve got to think twice about driving anywhere.”
Perch said he wasn’t impressed with the idea of reducing the gas tax, saying this was done in Connecticut and had only a small effect.
The 25-cent-per-gallon retail tax in Connecticut has been suspended since April.
“The oil companies are still making money, so why don’t they just cut their profits a little bit and give people a break?” he said.
The high price of oil is the main cause of the biting gasoline prices. A barrel of U.S. benchmark crude was selling for around $100 a barrel Tuesday, a price tag that has been climbing throughout the year. The high price of oil is largely because many buyers are refusing to purchase Russian oil because of its invasion of Ukraine.
Paula Stoddard filled up gas for her lawn mower at the 7-Eleven in Easthampton on Tuesday, and she expressed support for more fossil fuel infrastructure to deal with gas prices.
She also said the national oil stockpile shouldn’t be touched, so as to save it for a national crisis.
Linda Daniels, of South Hadley, said she’d recently gotten back from a vacation in California and noted that people are paying a lot more for gas out there.
“In retrospect, it’s not too bad (here),” Daniels said.
According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in California was $5.84 on Tuesday.
“I think we are paying the price for worldwide conditions right now,” Daniels said. “I think the really big picture is world peace and cooperation.”
People have a part to play in this big picture, she said.
“I think we have to grin and bear it and change our ways, change our driving habits and change our dependency,” Daniels said.
David Rodriguez, of Springfield, works as an apprentice plumber and at Chili’s restaurant.
He said that in his work as a plumber’s apprentice has cost $130 to fill up the van. And while this is compensated, this money also has to be fronted.
Rodriguez also said he would like to see more consistent prices.
“I want to be able to plan it out,” Rodriguez said.
Visiting the Pioneer Valley from the Central Valley in California, Miguel Arambula noted the higher gas prices in his state. However, he said that gas prices haven’t affected his life “too much” because he’s been working remotely.
“I just go in less,” he said.
Asked about the gas price issue, Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, who is also running for lieutenant governor, acknowledged the pain at the pump.
“Individuals and families are feeling the crunch from inflation in several ways,” he said. “How do we identify the most effective way to provide relief to the pocketbooks of Massachusetts residents?”
Hinds said that targeting the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax wasn’t the most effective way to do this, as there is no guarantee that oil companies will lower prices in response to a gas tax reduction.
Hinds said that leaders in the Senate, including himself, have been tasked with coming up with a tax relief package. And Hinds said that property tax relief for seniors, child tax credits, and renters tax deductions are all being looked at.
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, said that higher prices for gas also extend to other products, as the cost of shipping goods has increased.
“It’s difficult to watch the fuel prices rise,” said Sabadosa, while also expressing frustration at the profits of oil companies.
She also said that the House is looking at different packages for providing relief to consumers, particularly low income consumers.
“It’s important that we target the aid,” she said.
Sabadosa also said that she’d like to look at relief that’s longer term than a gas tax holiday.
Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, shared via email that he’s been hearing from people every day about the impact of high gas prices. He also expressed a willingness to look at the gas tax.
“Temporary adjustments to the gas tax is something we should consider, but I also think this is part of a broader conversation about how we can support folks more generally,” Velis wrote.
“The State took in $6.9 billion in revenue in April, $2 billion above projection. There’s a lot of ways we can use that money to provide relief back to people and that’s why you’re seeing Senate President Spilka, Governor Baker, and others really pushing to get something across the finish line to help people out.”
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.