Gas Reaches More Than $7-Per-Gallon In One Westchester Hamlet

KATONAH, NY — Motorists across the country are feeling the pain at the gas pump, but in one Hudson Valley hamlet, that pain is considerably more acute.

The Exxon station on Bedford Road in Katonah was selling regular gas for over $6.39 per gallon after a discount for paying cash. Drivers will have to burn a little fuel to find cheaper prices because the nearby Mobil station had the exact same price Thursday morning.

While shoppers in the hamlet told Patch that they avoid filling up at the stations in town, outsiders might not have as easy a time avoiding the sticker shock when paying at the pump. Local sign ordinances mean that drivers often don't know what's in store until they pull up to the pump at the full service only stations in town.

SEE ALSO: NY Gas Prices Continue To Climb: Here's The Latest Reason Why

On March 8, just hours after the Biden administration banned Russian oil imports, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned oil companies and gas stations that price gouging is illegal and cautioned drivers to be on alert for potential price gouging at the pump. State law prohibits sellers of fuel and other vital and necessary goods from charging unconscionably excessive prices during an abnormal market disruption, including disruptions caused by world conflicts.

"President Biden is taking critical and necessary action to hold Russia accountable for this unprovoked invasion that has claimed thousands of Ukrainian lives," James said at the time. "This newest round of sanctions could impact New Yorkers, so we are reminding companies that price gouging is illegal and ensuring that consumers take precautions to protect themselves and their wallets. Anyone who has experienced issues relating the price gouging of fuel should contact my office, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect consumers."

According to Gas Buddy, the average gas price for regular was at $4.66 across NYS on Thursday.

The average regular gas price in Westchester was at $4.58. In White Plains, the average price for regular was $4.71 per gallon. The increases are especially sharp considering that the average gas price in NYS was just $3.03 this time last year.

Gas prices in the Bedford/Katonah area are mostly in line with the average prices in the region — with a few notable exceptions.

Locations and prices in Bedford/Katonah on Thursday, May 12, according to GasBuddy:

• Exxon 776 N. Bedford Rd. Bedford Hills $4.59
• Sunoco 791 Bedford Rd. Bedford Hills $4.59
• Shell 9 Haines Rd. Bedford Hills $4.69
• Exxon 105 Bedford Rd. Katonah $6.39

A filling station in Katonah last made headlines during the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy when it was one of three in Westchester notified by then NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for allegedly price gouging following the storm.

A consumer reported the Mobil on Katonah Avenue as selling gas at $4.79 per gallon in the days following the natural disaster, according to the attorney general's office. Eleven additional stations in New York City and Long Island were also cited.

New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General, James said.

When reporting price gouging, consumers should:

• Report the specific increased prices, the dates, and places that they saw the increased prices, and the types of fuel being sold;
• Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available; and
• Buy only as much fuel as they need and not to stock up out of fear of a potential future shortage.