"Hot Fuel" a Hot Topic in Arizona

According to the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights news release, Arizona drivers will lose up to $1.50 worth of energy on a 20 gallon fuel up.

According to federal data, Arizona drivers lose $115 million a year in energy, which excludes the loss to truck drivers who use diesel. Thats an enormous numer considering the estimated loss to drivers nationwide is 2.3 billion. When the temperature of gasoline reaches 100 degrees or more, which in Arizona is nothing new, consumers lose up to $1.50 worth of energy with a 20 gallon fuel up.

Reports from the Arizona Republic states that regulators are finding the gasoline temperatures are going above 104 degree at some stations. The sad thing is that drivers do not even realize that they are losing fuel. In California and Arizona, Exxon and Mobile stations are beginning to put stickers on their pumps that states that gasoline is being "affected by temperature", so that the stations do not become part of a class action suit that is being filed against hot fuel sales.

Judy Dugan who is the founder of OilWatchDog.org states that "Drivers' losses boost the bottom line of oil companies," she also adds that "Families escaping the heat with in loaded minivan can easily need two fill-ups on a weekend trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff. Over a year, hot fuel can cost $150 or more for desert drivers."

When gasoline is sold at wholesale levels, the gasoline is adjusted for temperature variations from the standard of 60 degrees. When the gasoline comes from the refinery, it is well over 60 degrees. Retailers who obtain the fuel are compensated for the temperature expansion. Unfortunately consumers who buy the gasoline can only by it by the gallon regardless of the energy content. When the gas reaches 105 degrees, the loss of energy is a dime a gallon.

Data that was collected by the National Institute for Standards and Technology revealed that in 2002-2004 a national year round average temperature for fuel was 64.7 degrees. The South and West average was substantially higher according to the data.