Gasoline prices historically rise during the summer months, but Vermont just added an extra 3.3 cents per gallon with a new tax assessed to distributors.
The tax quietly took effect Monday. Gov. Jim Douglas signed the $540 million transportation budget into law last week.
It took effect before the start of the fiscal year on July 1 because of declining transportation revenue.
Lobbyist Joe Choquette of the Vermont Petroleum Association says retailers’ biggest concern lies along the New Hampshire border. He says New Hampshire seems to have shelved plans to increase its gasoline tax.
The average price per gallon of regular unleaded in Vermont was $2.458, up 8.2 cents from a week ago.