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Gas prices are climbing across the country, with the national average at $4.46 per gallon, while Nebraska and Iowa prices are approaching $4, according to AAA. At many stations across the Omaha Metro Monday, gas averaged $3.90 — more than 50 cents cheaper than the national average — but still a concern for local gas station owners. “We’re not making any money. I think that’s another problem for a small convenience store like us,” NP Mart owner Arshad Nazir said. “Inside sales are down because people are paying more on the pump and they’re spending less inside. Everybody’s cutting down wherever they can.”Nazir explained that prices have steadily increased over the past few months.”We were closer to $2 , and now we are already about like $3.90 or so. And the next few days, the way the gas barrel is going up, we can see the gas prices hit above $4 very soon in the Omaha market,” Nazir said. It’s left Nazir to wonder what can change.”I think it is the time for the state or our state government or federal government to take some steps where at least they can do something to bring the gas prices down,” he said. Nebraska’s fuel tax is roughly 32 cents per gallon, in addition to a federal tax of more than 18 cents per gallon. According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, for an average of 1,000 miles traveled per month, this amounts to $16 in taxes, which directly fund highway and bridge construction. “At this point, I don’t see there’d be a big impact on that where we are locally or a big enough impact to make a significant difference in how spending would look compared to what we’re currently spending. With the cost of fuel as it looks today,” AAA Nebraska and Iowa spokesperson Brian Ortner said. Nebraska and Iowa have similar state fuel taxes. Across the country, Alaska has the lowest tax at 9 cents per gallon and California the highest at more than 70 cents per gallon, according to the U.S. Tax Foundation.Ortner said there’s a larger factor that would need to change to see real cost differences.”When you consider that a barrel of oil or the cost of crude oil makes up more than 50% of the cost of fuel, that number is significant when it comes to the price you see at the pump,” Ortner said.Nazir emphasized the urgent need for any relief and also noted a decrease in how often customers are coming to fill up their tanks, a trend AAA says reflects families’ efforts to save money amid rising costs.”Currently, the way the prices are going, something should help a lot,” he said.
Gas prices are climbing across the country, with the national average at $4.46 per gallon, while Nebraska and Iowa prices are approaching $4, according to AAA.
At many stations across the Omaha Metro Monday, gas averaged $3.90 — more than 50 cents cheaper than the national average — but still a concern for local gas station owners.
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“We’re not making any money. I think that’s another problem for a small convenience store like us,” NP Mart owner Arshad Nazir said. “Inside sales are down because people are paying more on the pump and they’re spending less inside. Everybody’s cutting down wherever they can.”
Nazir explained that prices have steadily increased over the past few months.
“We were closer to $2 [this time last year], and now we are already about like $3.90 or so. And the next few days, the way the gas barrel is going up, we can see the gas prices hit above $4 very soon in the Omaha market,” Nazir said.
It’s left Nazir to wonder what can change.
“I think it is the time for the state or our state government or federal government to take some steps where at least they can do something to bring the gas prices down,” he said.
Nebraska’s fuel tax is roughly 32 cents per gallon, in addition to a federal tax of more than 18 cents per gallon. According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, for an average of 1,000 miles traveled per month, this amounts to $16 in taxes, which directly fund highway and bridge construction.
“At this point, I don’t see there’d be a big impact on that where we are locally or a big enough impact to make a significant difference in how spending would look compared to what we’re currently spending. With the cost of fuel as it looks today,” AAA Nebraska and Iowa spokesperson Brian Ortner said.
Nebraska and Iowa have similar state fuel taxes. Across the country, Alaska has the lowest tax at 9 cents per gallon and California the highest at more than 70 cents per gallon, according to the U.S. Tax Foundation.
Ortner said there’s a larger factor that would need to change to see real cost differences.
“When you consider that a barrel of oil or the cost of crude oil makes up more than 50% of the cost of fuel, that number is significant when it comes to the price you see at the pump,” Ortner said.
Nazir emphasized the urgent need for any relief and also noted a decrease in how often customers are coming to fill up their tanks, a trend AAA says reflects families’ efforts to save money amid rising costs.
“Currently, the way the prices are going, something should help a lot,” he said.
