WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. January 27, 2004: Gasoline prices increased about 3 cents a gallon in the last month and home heating oil increased 5 cents in the last week, according to the latest gasoline and heating oil price surveys conducted by the Department of Consumer Protection. The results of the price surveys can be found at www.westchestergov.com/consumer/

“The good news is that drivers did not see the huge price increases that some had expected with the new regulations that have removed MTBE from gasoline as of Jan. 1,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “Still, increases at the pumps ranged from 3 to 6 cents depending on where you fill-up.”

The average price for a gallon of regular was $1.833. In December the average was $1.801. Spano reminded consumers who might be looking to save money to shop around, as gas was found to be the lowest -- $1.659 a gallon – at a station in Mount Vernon.

Elaine Price, director of Consumer Protection said, “We have been carefully watching the change over in gasoline to see how much consumers would be affected. And we have stepped up our monitoring of stations to make sure they are selling gasoline with ethanol and not MTBE; and that the gasoline drivers are buying is the correct octane; whether it is regular, mid-grade or premium.”   

MTBE, an ether additive, has been traced to groundwater pollution. As of Jan. 1, gasoline may no longer contained MTBE. Instead, it uses ethanol, a byproduct of corn.

            Home heating oil prices also continue to rise. The weekly survey conducted by the department found a gallon of heating oil increased to $1.501 from $1.456 last week. In January of 2003, home heating oil sold for $1.38 a gallon.