FUEL USAGE: Short Memory Or Lesson Learned?

On Tuesday, the cost of unleaded gas hit less than $2 a gallon and county drivers talked about whether to continue with conservation.

Dick Sutton, a Realtor with Ridge Real Estate, filled his tank for less than two bucks a gallon at Sunoco gas station, Jones Oil and Tire, on U.S. 27.

Sutton said when prices skyrocketed, it impacted the way his company did business, but now that prices are drastically lower, business practices are again returning to normal.

"We didn't take customers out as often," said Sutton. "We gave addresses out and let them drive by in their cars, and look from the outside, before we gave a tour."

Sutton drives a Kia Sedona and gets about 17 miles per gallon when motoring around town. Since gas prices recently dropped, he said fellow Realtors at his office are more often personally escorting prospective homebuyers.

Gregg Laskoski, managing director of public relations for AAA Auto Club South, reported Tuesday that fuel consumption by Americans was down 5 percent since the same time last year.

"We're driving less and driving more fuel efficient vehicles," he said.

Before the prices shrunk, gas stations in the county during July charged more than $4 a gallon for unleaded, while crude traded at an all-time high of $147 a barrel, compared to the current price for a barrel at $55.

Dale Jones is the manager of Jones Oil and Tire. He said the price of gasoline shipments recently varied from five to 15 cents a gallon. The station receives fuel deliveries every day.

Jones said he would need a "magic ball" to predict future gas prices, but said many drivers will continue the recent trend to purchase fuel efficient automobiles.

"People don't want to see their money going overseas," said Jones. "It's like the stock market - just roll with it every day.

Laskoski noted that when the Federal Reserve lowered the prime interest rate, it weakened the U.S. dollar. Because of the weak dollar, it created a bull market for crude oil and many other commodities and speculators drove the price up.

He pointed to a recent strengthening of the dollar versus a devaluation of the Euro for the rapid price drop of crude oil to less than $60 a barrel.

"We can't say that we are surprised by what is happening, because nothing is supporting a rise in crude oil at this time of the year," wrote Laskoski in a Nov. 16 press release. "So there's no reason for us not to believe that prices will continue to drop throughout the rest of the year."

Prices are normally lower at this time of the year, during the fourth quarter, and tend to increase during the first quarter, said Laskoski. The cost of gasoline at the pump usually peaks during the summer months.

"I don't think people will start driving more because fuel prices are lower, they know that fuel prices will tend to go higher as they do every spring," said Laskoski.

John Scherlacher is tourism director of the Highlands County Visitors and Convention Bureau. He said that traffic is recently up on area highways, though the full winter season has yet to start. He also said it's too early to judge whether tourists will make more trips than ever to the Sunshine State because of recent lower gas prices.

"Gas is only one part of a total vacation - along with food, accommodations, tickets and lodging," said Scherlacher. "The economy is still in people's minds."

The tourism director said gas prices dropped just in time for snowbirds headed to the county in motor homes.

Laz Sanchez smiled broadly after filling up at $2 a gallon. He stopped taking fishing trips to the Florida Keys nine months ago to save cash. Now Sanchez is looking forward to heading back south and rather than filling up the fishing boat for $500, paying less than half that cost.

Dave High is a project manger for KDL Inc., and works with underground utilities. He "keeps a pretty good eye" on company gas expenses and when the price of petrol went up, company travel was cut and trips combined.

He said Tuesday that people will continue to conserve gasoline.

"A lot of people realized that it has gone down some," said High, as he fueled up for $2 a gallon. "But people will not forget that it was at $4 a gallon ... at least I hope people haven't forgotten."