Petro Marine was challenged to explain the reason why Homer pays ‘exorbitant’ fuel prices. It is told that the commercial fishermen refuel in Kodiak, they pull up to their choice of two filling docks and pay between $2.46 per gallon of unleaded or $2.60 for diesel. Even Cordova fishermen pay less than Homer. At Shoreside Petroleum, they pay $2.44 for diesel and $2.67 for unleaded.
It is informed that locally, where commercial fishermen have only one place to refuel, the cost is up to $3.04 per gallon of diesel, $2.72 for unleaded. Homer City Manager Walt Wrede questioned Petro Marine in a letter May 13, asking for “an explanation regarding why fuel prices are so exorbitantly high at the Homer Port and Harbor.” Petro Marine owns the Petro Marina at the Homer Harbor, and one of the two fueling stops at Kodiak, also called Petro Marine.
This matter was brought to the attention of Mayor Jim Hornaday and the Homer City Council at Tuesday night’s council meeting in his manager’s report. Wrede wrote that it does not appear to the city that there is any rational justification for prices this high. He further states that these prices have a very detrimental effect on the local economy. It is found that Homer is more expensive than Kodiak, King Cove and Cordova, that they currently have lower fuel prices than Homer, which is on the road system.
Carol Lindsey, CEO of Petro Marine Services, which is based out of Seward, wrote back, stating that she was “astonished and offended” by the city manager’s letter. She told that the company has been very active in the various educational and nonprofit entities in Homer, and most of all, the commercial fishing fleet.
