Re: [Winona] gas

[c . dillerud]

[Winona Online Democracy]

Now that this "lurker" has been drawn into a discussion, a few more thoughts on fuel:

 

1. I assume that much, but not all, of Minnesota's retail product is refined right here in the Twin Cities at Ashland and Flint Hills refineries. There is also a refinery in Duluth that uses Canadian crude I am told. The temporary shut down of some of the Gulf Coast refineries shouldn't (in "perfect world") negatively impact supply or price here. But, of course, the world isn't perfect and it will (and has already).

2. With the closure of the Winona Shell terminal (Front/Mankato) 20 years ago Winona became just another Minnesota city where retail fuel must be trucked in from some distance - from the pipeline terminal in Rochester or Midwest Fuels river terminal in Lacrosse. That had to have some negative impact on fuel pricing in Winona proper. But, Shell made the decision, which looked good at the time I assume.

3. The "minimum pricing" State rules were surely adopted to keep the "big hitters" (Super America, Holiday, and in the Winona area, Kwik Trip) from driving the small independent retailers out of business with below-cost pricing designed to do just that - eliminate competition. While I too personally dislike government tinkering with the market place, I also am a strong proponent of retaining small business. Good/bad medicine with the same pill I guess. Has the strategy really worked? I don't know. Maybe Tom can tell us.

 

Chuck Dillerud

 

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> [Winona Online Democracy]
>

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I agree gas prices are going up and maybe we should start to carpool when possible.  How about taking a neighbor to the store or when running kids to school, take a carload.  Gas was 4.50 a gallon in Italy and Germany in 1995 and I imagine it is twice that now.  Why do we pay almost a $1.00 for a small bottle of water.  We don't stop drinking soda, beer if it goes higher.  I bet smokers are still buying cigarettes and also the Senior High parking lot will be full of cars this fall, when many could be riding a bus. Gas stations must make a profit, just like any other business.  I know there is at least one station in town that is selling gas because it also pulls in business for car repairs.  Tom Severson and others who run stations have a right to a fair profit.  It sounds like prices could keep going up because of the storm down south.   You don't see many stations around that only sell gas, so maybe there is more money in the things that are sold in the store.  Ruth

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