Station owners defend spike in gasoline prices

Gas station owners, confronted with angry customers, say they had no choice but to raise prices as much as 75 cents overnight, and some are worried they may not have enough gas to last until more arrives next week.

Robert Mason, who boosted the price at his service station on West Street to $3.51 yesterday, said his supplier raised his price 78 cents between Aug. 22 and yesterday. He predicts other stations will have no choice but to follow with higher prices.

"People think we're the ones who are gouging. It's not us, it's the oil companies," he said. "We were lucky to get a load. ... (My supplier) said this may be the last...