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• Dozens Of Truck Drivers Protest High Diesel Prices
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Area truckers have a message about high fuel prices. They are taking that message to the State Capitol.

Mark Kirsch is an independent truck driver. That means, like many other truckers, he pays for his own diesel fuel. Also like so many others, he is hurting.

"Fuel price from about a year ago at this time, I was spending anywhere between $1000 and $1200 a week. And now I'm spending anywhere from $2000 to $2500 a week," says Kirsch.

Last weekend, Mark organized truck drivers at an area travel plaza. They protested high diesel prices. They are going to do it again. This time, they will rally at the State Capitol.

Kirsch explains, "We're going to ask them first of all, in Pennsylvania, to roll back some of the fuel tax and give us some relief on fuel taxes and go from there."

So just why does diesel fuel cost so much? The Energy Information Administration breaks the cost down by gallon:

-5% goes to distribution

-14% goes to taxes

-18% is for refining costs

-63% is for crude oil, at all-time highs

"It irks me enough that it's almost time to park the truck and get a regular job," says Kirsch.

Consumer Reports says that what is driving crude oil prices so high is simply supply and demand. Demand is growing faster than the oil supply. The truckers demand something be done.

"We need our government to step in and try to do something about these oil companies and OPEC for not producing any more oil," notes Kirsch. "It's got to come to an end and it doesn't seem like there's any end in the near future."

The convoy is scheduled to leave the Gables Travel Plaza off of I-81 (exit 77) on Monday at 8am. It will end at the State Capitol.

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