Yokosuka leader hears out concerns

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Yokosuka leader hears out concerns
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, October 30, 2008

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Despite repeated explanations from military and Navy Exchange officials, some Yokosuka residents at a town hall meeting Tuesday night said they still did not understand the high gas prices at NEX stations in Japan.

Currently, gas prices are $4.06 a gallon at the Navy Exchange. In the States last week, the nationwide average for a gallon of regular grade was $2.66, according to the Energy Information Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy.

"It’s a huge disparity," said Frank Cassagnol, who brought up the subject. "I still don’t understand."

Capt. Daniel Weed, Yokosuka’s commanding officer, said he could only repeat the explanation from the NEX’s commander, Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, who visited Japan this month.

The NEX buys gas from the military’s Defense Energy Support Center and is locked into a price set during the summer. The gas the NEX is selling now cost it $4.19 a gallon, for a 13-cent loss. A NEX official Tuesday night said exchange officials hope DESC will reset the price in December.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58484