Gas Climbs to $1 and Up
January 12, 1980
By Aaron Fiore
International events had a direct impact on Susanville as gasoline prices soared steadily throughout the last 10 months of 1979.
Susanville motorists are now paying nearly 40 percent more for gasoline than they did one year ago.
The most dramatic increases came at the self-service pumps at Susanville’s gas-only stations. A 46.5 cent increase in the cost of a gallon of gas was recorded during the last 12 months at these stations.
Year-end pump prices in Susanville ranged from a “low” of $1.14 per gallon for regular grade fuel at several major brand retailers to $1.31 per gallon for premium gas at one full-service major brand station.
Pump prices in Susanville continue to average 10 cents per gallon higher than the rest of the state as reported by the California State Automobile Association.
The rate of inflation for Susanville gas prices compared to the rest of California is about the same, however.
The dollar per gallon barrier was reached locally on May 17. Area retailers were then forced to adopt half-gallon pricing to allow prices higher than a dollar to be recorded on their pumps. A conversion to metric pricing was made by one station owner. This allowed gas to be sold for 26 cents — for one liter.
Although prices were higher in Susanville than elsewhere in the state, the area was spared the gas lines prevalent at times in more populated counties. There were several Sundays in mid-summer when only one station was open, but lines at the pumps averaged only 15 minutes.
The rate of inflation for gas fluctuated during the year. Prices edged up only about two cents a gallon during the first two months of 1979 at some stations. In contrast, an increase of eight cents per gallon was recorded citywide during the final six weeks.
