How gas prices are hitting locals
Lobsterman: ‘Five dollars a gallon for diesel fuel makes spring fishing not feasible’
Gas station in Deer Isle. Photo by Jessica Hardy.
By Jessica Hardy
In the last three weeks, local gas prices have increased from less than $3 a few months ago to over $3.65 a gallon for regular gas and more than $5.50 for diesel. The increase is closely correlated to military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, and as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping.
The Rising Tide asked residents of around the Blue Hill Peninsula how the price hikes are affecting them.
Tobey Snow of Stonington. Photo courtesy of Tobey Snow.
“I’m actually delaying setting my traps out until probably the first of May [because of the cost of gas]. ‘Playing the market’ per se, just hoping gas prices will drop. Five dollars a gallon for diesel fuel makes spring fishing not feasible due to the cost of expenses and the lower catch. Letting gear soak longer is the best compensation. The less fuel burned the better, which means less trips.”
-Tobey Snow, lobster fisherman in Stonington.
“I'm just gonna work more because that's all I can do. It is scary that we're [not far] away from $4 a gallon. I can't make a change in today's society to make gas less expensive. All I can do is either drive less or work more. And the only option I have in my life currently is to drive more, I still go to work. I can't drive less, so I have to work more.”
–Courtney Senecal, employee of Northern Light Hospital, Blue Hill
“I have noticed an increase in the diesel prices as of December, January time. You could literally put $20 in and get 5 gallons. I think the last time I went to purchase it it increased by $5, so then it's a solid $25. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but if you're really adding that it adds up quickly. I was significantly shocked by the difference. Now, I'm planning ahead a little bit.”
-Farren Gray, server/bartender at Marlintini’s Bar and Grill in Blue Hill
“I don’t think it's affected me too much since I got a lot of gas cards for Christmas, though I have noticed that the prices have gone up. I have some good gas mileage on my car, so it's not too terrible, and I don't travel that much. I am anxious for the day that my gas cards run out, and I have to pay $100 to fill up my car.”
-Addison Austin, 16, student at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill
“It hasn’t affected me at all because I use midgrade fuel, and where I get it they haven’t raised the prices yet. But for home heating fuel I’ve actually canceled my monthly fill because the price has jumped almost $2 from where I get my fuel from and I’m hoping it will go down by at least May and I’ll just have my tank topped off.”
-Ken Wiberg, self-employed carpenter in Deer Isle
–This piece was produced through the training and financial support of Journalism New England’s Career Lab. Hardy is one of the organization’s Community Reporting Fellows.
