CHRISTIANSTED — The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, (DLCA) said it is meeting with “every fuel retailer and wholesaler to discuss not only the impact of COVID-19 on its current operation, but also their normal day-to-day operations with the objective of helping to maintain a healthy balance that will result in price profit margins that are ultimately both fair to the consumer and the business.”
According to the information gathered, high fixed reoccurring costs, like electricity, payroll, rent, fees and other financial operating challenges along with the sudden large reduction in the volume of fuel being sold since COVID-19 are among the most significant factors affecting their ability to quickly reduce fuel prices at the pump.
“While further price adjustments are being reflected at the pump, I urge every consumer to use the information contained in DLCA’s bi-monthly fuel survey and exercise your strong ‘Consumer Power’ to purchase fuel from the cheapest source,” Commissioner Evangelista said.
“I applaud the fuel wholesalers and retailers that are lowering fuel rates at this time. These lower rates will provide some very needed economic relief to the community. COVID-19 has created many unforeseen economic hardships for persons in the community. I encourage every fuel service operator to examine its daily cost of operations and to pass on the maximum amount of their fuel product cost reduction possible to the consumers of the Virgin Islands.”
DLCA conducted its territory-wide bi-monthly fuel survey between April 15 – April 17, 2020. The lowest price for both self-service regular and self-service premium were found in the District of St. Croix. In the District of St. Thomas/St. John, the lowest price for self-service regular was found on St. John and the lowest price for self-service premium was found on St. Thomas. Surveys will be available for comparative viewing tomorrow on our website at www.dlca.vi.gov and on our Facebook page @dlcavi.
On St. Croix, the lowest price for self-service regular and self-service premium fuel were found at Ziggy’s Island Market LLC at $1.999 and $2.399 per gallon respectively. Two weeks ago, the lowest price for self-service regular and self-service premium were $2.329/gallon and $2.909/gallon, respectively for a decrease of $0.33 and $0.51. Today, One Love Station -La Grande Princess – Golden Rock – Hannah’s Rest, notified DLCA that tomorrow morning, Saturday April 18, 2020 it shall have the second lowest price for self-service regular at $2.109/gallon. Five Corners Service Station came in second with the lowest price for self-service premium at $2.909/gallon. The lowest price for diesel remains unchanged from two weeks ago at $2.750/gallon at Super Tank Service Station.
On St. Thomas, the lowest prices for self-service regular fuel was found at Petrus Frenchtown, Polyberg and Smith Bay at $3.099 per gallon and the lowest price for self-service premium was found at Racetrack for $3.459/gallon. Two weeks ago, the lowest price for self-service regular and self-service premium were $3.369/gallon and $3.689/gallon, respectively for a decrease of $0.27 and $0.23. Racetrack came in second with the lowest price for self-service regular at $3.159/gallon. The lowest price for diesel remains unchanged from two weeks ago at $3.599/gallon at 1st Stop stations.
On St. John, the lowest self-service prices were found at Racetrack at $3.05/gallon for regular and premium and $3.25/gallon for premium. Two weeks ago, the lowest price for self-service regular and self-service premium were $3.639/gallon and $3.799/gallon, respectively for a decrease of $0.58 and $0.54. E-C Gas Station came in second with the lowest for self-service at $3.09/gallon for regular and $3.29/gallon for premium. The lowest price for diesel remains unchanged from two weeks ago at $4.05/gallon at Racetrack.
Finally, DLCA announces the latest rack rate prices issued by Gulf Oil at Lime Tree Bay Terminal effective April 20 – April 26, 2020. The new rack prices with the .14/gallon tax remains unchanged from last week’s rate at $0.96 for regular, an increase of $0.01 from last week for premium fuel at $1.02/gallon and an increase of $0.01 from last week for diesel at $1.31/gallon for diesel (ULSD). Currently, the rack rate quoted is only available for the District of St. Croix. Fuel retailers for the District of St. Thomas/St. John purchase fuel from more than one fuel wholesale supplier. As soon as DLCA receives the wholesale rates for each fuel supplier for the District of St. Thomas/St. John, it shall publish the information.
For consumer related issues you may email us at [email protected] or call our hotlines on St. Croix (340) 727-SCAM (7226) or St.Thomas/St. John at (340) 771-SCAM (7226). You may file a consumer complaint at www.dlca.vi.gov.
For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the USVI Department of Health’s website, doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777.
For non-medical information call (340) 715-6843 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 7 days per week. #COVID19USVI