Gas falls below $3 a gallon

Chris Binnall saw promise in the ailing economy while filling up at Zip Trip in Bonners Ferry on Monday.

The cost for a gallon of regular unleaded had dropped below $3 after reaching an all-time record high of more than $4.20 over the summer.

“It gives me hope because everything is so depressed,” said Binnall, owner of Absolute Exterior in Bonners Ferry.

Zip Trip and Dyck’s Oil and Auto, also in Bonners Ferry, as of Wednesday were selling gas for $2.95 a gallon. Chevron and Conoco, both in Bonners Ferry, had dropped their prices to $2.99 and Three-Mile Restaurant was selling regular unleaded for $3.29.

Growing gasoline inventories, lower driver demand and a rebounding dollar pushed pump prices lower, AAA reported.

The national average for regular unleaded plunges 32 cents this week to $3.16 a gallon.

The average price for regular unleaded in Idaho was $3.38 on Wednesday. A month ago, it was $3.80. A year ago, it was $2.83, according to AAA.

At Porthill Mercantile, cashier Becky Medearis has heard fewer complaints about the gas prices lately.

That’s because as of Wednesday, it cost $3.02 for a gallon of regular gas at the station just south of the border.

“They’re very, very thankful to be able to come down here and get a decent price on gas,” Medearis said about the Canadians, who make up 98 percent of their customers.

Gas in Canada is $1.30 a liter. At Porthill Mercantile, it’s 80 cents per liter.

Keeping gas prices at about the lowest in Boundary County isn’t easy, said Trevelyn Sheppard, owner of Porthill Mercantile.

“We’re not really making any money, but we’re trying to get the Canadians down,” Sheppard said. “They buy beer on a daily basis and most come in the store. They love our dairy and go around the store finding other items they don’t normally get. We carry Idaho spuds, which they cannot buy up there.”

What appeared to be the most expensive gas was found at the south end of the county. As of Monday, Naples General Store remained at $3.59 a gallon.

Owner Earl Berwick said on Wednesday he lowered it to $3.29 to be competitive.

“We’re losing money,” Berwick said. “It’s jsut a convenience to the public.”

The cost for a shipment of gas determines the price per gallon. Naples General Store got its last shipment on Oct. 4 and expects another Friday.