Monday, gas prices across the nation and including Alaska were set to do something they haven't yet done this summer: go up.
After seeing a steady week of gas prices last week, prices began increasing at gas pumps across the country after the 4th of July holiday, meaning this summer's break from normally higher gas prices is likely about to come to an end.
Meanwhile, a group of state senators in the bipartisan majority are planning to hold a hearing on Wednesday at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, taking testimony rom people on specific ways to lower costs of both gasoline and heating fuel in Alaska.
In April, the Senate finance committee approved a request for $150,000 to hire an expert to figure out ways to reduce fuel costs in Alaska.
WHERE: Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 220
WHEN: Wednesday, July 11th, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Public Testimony 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
EMAIL: affordable.energy.for.alaskans@gmail.com
We asked your opinion on Facebook; "Are you more or less likely to hit the road and enjoy some Alaska scenery this summer?"
Here were some of your replies:
Destinie Ashley Elle Lowry Gas is gas. If people want to drive they are gonna pay for it no matter how high the price is.
Constantina Landt I'm not particularly happy about the gas prices going back up, actaully didn't notice them go down? As for enjoying some scenerey, I work in two different towns so I enjoy the beauty every week. Just be safe on our highways people. I want everyone to enjoy the beauty! Nothing we can do about the gas prices so that is neither here nor there; just go here and there.
Harry Jackson Disappointing, frustrating, aggravating. It's hard to live paycheck to paycheck. Some these villages that aren't on the road system like in the Mat-Su valley. We get the burden of it. Only because the fuel barge has to deliver the fuel and what we pay is way more then out in Anchorage. Long have I yearned to go back to the days of old when we were paying barely $2.00 a gallon! Miss those days. Now a days, nearly $7.00 a gallon. Some other villages further up the Kuskokwim are higher for their fuel prices.
Kitlisa Clark-Carson It seems to be cheaper to buy a small car and have new car payments then to gas up my truck. Somehow that just seems wrong. We are doing far less traveling this year, even with the small decrease. Now with the prices going back up or travel may stop.
Samuel Johns I'm going to mars in 10yrs. I'll ride my bike til then. :)
Autumn Fauber I just want to know why we can get oil but not refine it here. The states are paying way less in gas why can't we figure something out so we don't have to take out a loan just to get to work.
Ernestine Andrew I'm going camping and roadtripping. No way gas is going to ruin my summer. If your going to complain, take the bus.
Lara Imler We have definitely planned less road trips this summer because of gas prices and lower income this summer. However, instead of many short trips we are taking longer trips out of town to make up for it.
