Gas prices stuck at $3.399 a gallon are pictured in Lakewood on Thursday. P-J photo by John Whittaker

In many parts of New York state, gas prices have fallen.

But not in Chautauqua County.

Most of Chautauqua County has gas prices around $3.39 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. There are exceptions, including Ripley and a few other places where fuel prices are below that amount.

But in other areas of the state, gas prices are sometimes 20 and 30 cents a gallon lower.

Legislator Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, brought the topic up during the recent legislature meeting and County Executive PJ Wendel responded.

“We did send a letter to (state) Attorney General Tish James. We also sent it to the federal attorneys in Buffalo. We received a phone call from Tish James saying they will not pursue the matter. We have yet to hear anything from the federal government,” Wendel said.

Wendel noted that in Erie County, their gas tax is 4.75% while in Chautauqua County the gas tax is 4%, yet gas prices in Erie County are lower than Chautauqua County.

Wendel said he also spoke with representatives of United Refinery in Warren, thinking that the majority of the fuel used in the county comes from there. “That is not the case. About 25% of our gasoline comes from United Refinery, which my guess is probably the Kwik Fills and Red Apple stores that are directly related,” he said.

According to AAA, currently gas prices for regular unleaded fuel range from $3.27 to $3.65 a gallon in Chautauqua County. In Erie, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, gas prices range from $3.17 to $3.21 a gallon for the same grade of gasoline.

Wendel said he can’t explain the reason. “This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve looked into this as county executive and we get the same comment – there’s nothing nefarious. There’s nothing wrong. If they’re going to charge it and we’re going to pay it, that’s where we are,” he said.

AAA reports that statewide, New York’s gas price is $3.20 a gallon. Nationwide it’s $3.15 a gallon.

In 2022, the Chautauqua County Legislature passed a resolution which capped gasoline sales tax at $3 a gallon. That legislation ran from June 1 to Dec. 1 of that year.

There has not been any talk publicly of bringing back similar legislation.

In 2022, the move was made after New York state had issued a gas tax holiday for part of its sales tax.