Editorial: Shock at the pumps

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 8:53 a.m.

With gasoline prices in Las Vegas among the highest in the country, it's instinctive to call for a federal investigation. But since gas prices began spiraling upward 30 years ago, we haven't seen a federal investigation yet that has accomplished anything.

We believe a better tactic is for the state to contact the Texas Gulf Coast pipeline companies and begin making a case for another pipeline. There is just one gas pipeline serving Southern Nevada and it comes from Southern California, where there is a shrinking number of refineries. Every time production slows there, Southern Nevada is affected. We would be well served by the expansion of pipeline service from El Paso to Phoenix. With a greater supply of gasoline heading to Phoenix, a pipeline could be built from Phoenix to Las Vegas, meaning we wouldn't be so reliant on one source.

With all the costs and environmental concerns associated with pipeline construction, negotiations could take a long time. That's why Nevada should open discussions immediately. Congress could also provide a long-term solution by requiring greater fuel efficiency in automobiles. Perhaps it's consumers, however, who could provide the best answer by buying more hybrid vehicles.

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