Oregon Public Broadcasting

Northwest gas prices are falling from their record highs in July. Oregon and Washington drivers are getting a better deal than their brethren in Idaho. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports from Coeur d’Alene.

Dave Carlson from Idaho AAA doesn’t understand. While prices have fallen more than 20 cents a gallon in Oregon and Washington during the last month, prices in the Gem State are down only three cents.

Dave Carlson: “It leaves us scratching our head. Are the refineries producing less gasoline in this region? Are they charging more for that which they do deliver? Or is a retailer simply trying to pay for their investment? And frankly, we don’t know.”

Idaho state gas tax revenue gradually fell from January to May as people pumped fewer gallons. But in June, the trend reversed in a big way. Gas prices continued to climb, but people bought far more gas.

Cars lined up at an Exxon station in north Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday, drawn by the lowest price in town, $3.89 a gallon.

Jeremy, who didn’t give his last name, was philosophical as he pumped diesel at $4.82 a gallon into his company pickup truck.

Jeremy: “The wheels gotta keep turning, you know? So I gotta stay out there and keep making money and, unfortunately, that just keeps getting passed on. Yeah, it affects leisure time too, boating and everything else.”