Highway Robbery at the Pump

Reno/Sparks Being Gouged

Gas prices are doin’ a waltz—one step forward, two steps back, and a little twirl to keep folks dizzy.

The learned scholars at GasBuddy tell us the national average has settled at a respectable $3.02, while the distinguished minds at AAA insist it’s $3.078—though on this point, a man might flip a coin and be just as well-informed. Meanwhile, Nevada, that land of sagebrush and slot machines, has seen its prices tumble a whole eight cents in the last week to $3.65—hardly enough to make a man whistle, but at least it’s movement in the right direction.

Yet, while the Silver State begrudgingly inches toward affordability, the fine citizens of Reno and Sparks remain hogtied and helpless at the mercy of highwaymen disguised as gas station proprietors, still forking over $4.09 per gallon. One could forgive another for wondering if these oil barons are filling our tanks with liquid gold or some French perfume.

But no, it remains the same old gasoline, now seasoned with an extra dash of daylight robbery and no police report.