⛽ Where to find the cheapest gas

WA Gas Prices Among Highest Nationally

Yesterday, the average price per gallon for regular gas in Washington was $5.39 – that’s higher than most gas prices across the country. Washington drivers already pay among the highest gas prices in the country. For the first time in four years, the national average is above $4/gallon, so local drivers are really feeling the pinch. [AAA]

• Drivers turn to tribal stations for lower prices: Washington tribes retain a portion of fuel tax revenue collected on gas sold at their stations. This, combined with other tax agreements, enables tribal stations to offer lower prices than most surrounding businesses — and many drivers say they are going out of their way to fill up at those stations. [KING 5]
• Why are prices so high in WA? About 20% of the world's oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, so any prolonged disruption there can quickly drive up prices worldwide. But war leading to these global disruptions in oil supply are just part of the picture. Our state’s gas prices are higher than most of the country already due to policies like our high gas tax (55.4 cents per gallon, in addition to 18.4 cents in federal gas taxes) and Washington’s cap-and-invest carbon program. Taken together, Axios reports this adds roughly $1 per gallon. [Axios]
• Lowest gas prices in Seattle: KING 5 has this list of the cheapest gas stations in the city, and I’m glad to see my trusty ARCO station is top of the list at $5.29 (a still eye-ball popping number). Liam suggests Costco gas as a slightly more affordable option. And Ashley says now might be a good time to pay in cash. Or, as Jane likes to remind us, it’s even cheaper to take public transit or free to ride your bike – and with the sun out, now’s a good time to start.

📳 Ticket scammers: That email or text you got claiming you owe money to the Department of Licensing might not be real. It’s part of a widespread phishing scam asking for money related to unpaid tickets, Good To Go tolls, and Real ID, and even threatening legal repercussions. Both the DOL and the WA Courts say they never send texts or emails like these, and people should verify these claims by contacting them directly. [Seattle Times]

📥 UW professor removed: Last week, UW removed Dr. Aria Fani from his position as the director of the university’s Middle East Center (MEC) following two emails he sent to the center’s listserv. The Burner has now published the emails sent on March 9 and March 18, which Dr. Fani wrote, “expressed his personal views.” [The Burner]

🐉 RIP Dragon Land: Nothing gold can stay, or so Robert Frost tells us. The once-vacant lot at South Dawson Street and Wilson Avenue South, which became home to a community art project full of toys, murals, and lots and lots of dragons, is no exception. At the start of the month, developers sent workers to clear the lot. All that’s left is a now-outdated sign reading: “Future home of Dragon Land.” [Seattle Times]