Higher cost for diesel fuel likely to impact consumer goods

Friday, March 21, 2008

From an article by Doug Zellmer in The Northwestern (Oshkosh):

A gallon of diesel fuel is at an all-time high in Wisconsin and that means higher costs for the trucking industry — and ultimately for consumers.

Diesel generally sold for $4.14 a gallon, rounded to the nearest penny, in Oshkosh Thursday. The Midwest price for diesel fuel overall is about $1.30 more a gallon than a year ago, said Matt Hauser, director of government affairs for the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

Overall, a gallon of diesel fuel in the state on average costs nearly $4.09, according to a survey by AAA Wisconsin.

Paul Ketring, of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, said he assumes the cost of diesel sooner or later will mean higher prices in the store from groceries to other consumer goods.

"It is going to impact everything that is transported or moved, including food because of the higher cost of diesel," he said. "The higher cost of diesel is impacting the trucking industry and the railroads."

Charlie Bridges, who drives an 18-wheeler and stopped in Oshkosh Wednesday afternoon, called the price of diesel "is just nuts."

Bridges, who drives for Knight Transportation of Phoenix, Ariz., said he pretty much keeps the heater off at night when he's at rest in the sleeper compartment of his truck cab to conserve fuel.

His truck carries 225 gallons of diesel fuel and at $4.14 a gallon it costs $931.50 for a fill-up. He said his 18-wheeler gets about six miles to the gallon on the road.