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I grew up in Oregon, and I know that this article is way off base.

First, the ban on self-serve has been approved by popular vote two, maybe three times, so it is hardly imposed by a loopy legislature, however loopy that legislature may be.

Second, I believe that that Oregon has never allowed operators to pump their own gas, since the dawn of filling stations.

Thirdly, Oregon does not have the most expensive gas in the nation. Far from it. When I visited family over Labor Day this year, I bought gas in Lebanon, OR for $1.19 per gallon. Here in Maryland the cheapest regular I can get without going 6 miles out of my way is $1.46.

Ford recomends that I use premium, but that's just because my car has a high compression engine. As long as I don't drive like a maniac, I can use regular. Of course, some times I do feel maniacal, so I pay $0.30 per gallon more.

What's up with the price differential? It doesn't really cost any more to make gasoline with different octane ratings.

> What's up with the price differential? It doesn't really cost any more to make gasoline with different octane ratings.

Because they can?
Heck I don't know. I remember when unleaded first became a requirement with the advent of the catalytic converters. I always thought it was funny that they charged a couple cents more per gallon to not put the lead in. Folks I know used to take that little restrictor hole out of their fill spouts so the regular nozzle would fit (of course I would never do something like that).

Dave in Eugene