Home subscribe manage Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon

News
Apr. 07, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada's gasoline coffers near E

Higher fuel prices push agencies to cut costs or get emergency aid

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARSON CITY -- With three months left in the fiscal year, the state of Nevada has spent all but $1.3 million of its $10 million total budget for gasoline and diesel, officials said.

The biggest user is the Nevada Department of Transportation, whose fuel costs now are expected to reach about $6.3 million, some $1.7 million more than the budgeted amount.

Newsvine Digg Fark Technorati reddit StumbleUpon del.icio.us Slashdot Propeller Mixx Furl Twitter MySpace Facebook Google Bookmarks Yahoo! Bookmarks Windows Live Favorites Ask MyStuff myAOL Favorites

Most Popular Stories
  • Alleging fraud, authorities raid voter group
  • NORM: Simpson planned acquittal party
  • Nevada's economy dead last
  • NORM: Hard-core fans ask: Has Jacko moved?
  • NORM: Bobbitt trains for boxing bout in LV
  • NORM: Letterman gives an 'A' to O.J. jury
  • Judge: Attacker 'gleeful'
  • PALACE STATION ROBBERY: Audiotapes convicted O.J.
  • NORM: 13th Agassi slam another big hit
  • Circle of friends surrounds lost pal



    • "Right now that ($6.3 million) is probably a low estimate because diesel and everything is shooting through the roof. We still have April, May and June to go," Robert Chisel, administrative services officer for NDOT, told the Nevada Appeal.

    Of that total, Chisel said $4.3 million is for diesel to run NDOT's trucks, graders, snowplows and other large maintenance equipment.

    He said the state also may get hit by contractors because some construction contracts have fuel cost escalation clauses.

    But, NDOT depends on the highway fund to pay those costs, so fuel prices won't add to the burden on the state's general fund, said state Director of Administration Andrew Clinger.

    NDOT officials are expected to ask the Interim Finance Committee for a transfer of highway fund money to cover the amount needed.

    The second largest user of fuel is the Nevada Highway Patrol, which budgeted $1.9 million for such costs this year.

    "We'll probably be within $25,000 to $30,000 of the costs but I think we're going to make it," NHP Col. Chris Perry said.

    Unfortunately, he said, NHP vehicles average only 14 miles per gallon. Troopers in urban areas log more than 25,000 miles a year while their rural counterparts may put in 45,000 miles a year.

    Keith Wells, administrator of the state's motor pool, said he's seeking to move about $200,000 out of his reserves to cover a projected $1 million fuel cost, nearly $250,000 above the budgeted amount.

    Wells said his office is encouraging state workers to carpool to meetings as much as possible, and is buying some natural gas and hybrid vehicles.

    "We aggressively cut costs on everything we do," Wells said.

    Clinger said his staff will be looking at agencies to determine whether some of those assigned vehicles are necessary.



    Leave Your Comment 11 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    Mickey D wrote on April 09, 2008 11:42 AM: How much gas is wasted when they are driving through the In-N-Out at Trop and I-15?


    BJS wrote on April 07, 2008 04:32 PM: "We'll probably be within $25,000 to $30,000 of the costs but I think we're going to make it," NHP Col. Chris Perry said.
    Wells said...(the dept.)"is buying some natural gas and hybrid vehicles."

    If your budget is that low, how can you afford to buy hybrid vehicles at $30,000+ each?

    ...not to mention the fact that natural gas prices have risen as dramatically as the other fuel sources have.(These "stopgap" measures won't save money).
    Sounds like another case of lip service and inadequate forward planning.


    UNLVStud wrote on April 07, 2008 11:22 AM: Wouldn't a lot of money be saved if public employees would stop using government vehicles for their personal use? i.e. stop using the vehicles to go home on breaks or to run personal errands. I think that would save quite a bit of money.


    Heck Tate wrote on April 07, 2008 11:22 AM: Price gougers= hmmm, lemme think on this for a minute. How much does the govmint skim per gallon of gas?


    moe wrote on April 07, 2008 11:17 AM: anyone who thinks the government is going to do anything about the high price of gasoline is crazy..wake up everybody.


    Chuck wrote on April 07, 2008 11:04 AM: Bill,

    Yes, snowplows.

    Obviously you have fallen into the trap of thinking of "Las Vegas" as the same as "Nevada".

    Try taking a trip to Northern Nevada in the winter. You'll see the need for snowplows pretty quickly.


    nevada taxpayers wrote on April 07, 2008 09:37 AM: Hey, don't forget the savings on jet fuel for the NDF Helicopters that use to put out the wildfires across the state.

    Ever ask your self WHY we burn a million acres a year now, you better think about it
    ...sure would like to see THAT fuel bill from the Feds!!!


    Billl wrote on April 07, 2008 08:03 AM: Snowplows???


    When wrote on April 07, 2008 07:44 AM: When is the government going to look at the price gouging? Or, could it be, most of our politicians are share holders in the oil business so nothing will be done?


    kookoo wrote on April 07, 2008 07:38 AM: ET wrote on April 07, 2008 07:30 AM: "The Highway Patrol with 14 mpg Hotrods ? this is the 21st century lets get some 40 mpg cars.The cars are equipped with radios ,computers etc., and no longer need high performance autos."

    I do believe that they need to switch to something more economical, but there are situtations for law enforcement where speed is key. Henderson Police really needs to get rid of those SUV's though, that's ridiculous.


    Read All Comments