Gas prices on rise for troops in Italy, again

[unhappycamper]

Gas prices on rise for troops in Italy, again
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, May 24, 2008

NAPLES, Italy — Surprise, surprise. The cost of fuel in Italy is on the rise.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary Bromm’s surprise was facetious, but his anger was not. "Again? I’m tired of paying so much," the 35-year-old master-at-arms, stationed at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, said when told fuel coupon prices were going up again on June 1. "We’re already paying more than in the States. Is this right?"

The price for a 100-liter booklet for unleaded gasoline increases from $111 to $118, and diesel increases from $132 to $140, said Bart Di Muccio, administrator for the Tax-Free Office in Naples, which runs the gas coupon program. The booklet prices translate to $4.46 a gallon for unleaded, and $5.29 a gallon for diesel.

"I understand we don’t pay as much as the Italians, but we have to be here. It’s not like we can go back to the States where they pay less," Bromm said. "And the (cost of living allowance) doesn’t reflect how much more we’re having to pay for gas."

The fuel increase is linked to rises in fuel costs passed to the Navy from distributors, Di Muccio said. In one month, the price charged to the Navy for unleaded fuel increased 26 cents a gallon, while diesel increased 30 cents a gallon.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55052