As reported by Lynden News Aug. 29, STG Construction has depended on the Lynden companies for almost two decades to help support the important work of bringing renewable wind energy to communities in need of replacing other energy sources like diesel fuel. Alaska Marine Lines and Northland Services.
EDITOR, Daily News:
I have heard from a number of constituents and community leaders about their concern for the purchase of Crowley Fuels by Petro Marine. Not only have I heard from many individuals, but I have also heard from both the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan that this merger will impact their budgets at a time when both entities are already struggling to deal with a major loss in revenue. I, too, am concerned. Here are some of the points I hear most often:
1. Most comments compare this situation to the merger of AML (Lynden Transport) and Northland Services, Inc. That merger created a non-competitive market for shipping goods to Ketchikan, and there is worry that the merger between Petro Marine and Crowley Fuels could result in another non-competitive monopolistic marketplace.
EDITOR, Daily News:
The acquiring of Crowley Fuels by Petro Marine is major setback for the entire Southeast Alaska community. This monopoly creating acquisition will inevitably lead to substantially higher gasoline and diesel prices in Southeast Alaska.
What s to prevent Petro Marine from gradually raising prices to just below the point where another competitor could come in to compete? If Petro Marine owns the entire oil infrastructure system in Southeast Alaska, wouldn t it set a high threshold for any future competitor? Wouldn t this result in hard-earned money being pulled out of our pockets and substantially raise the cost of doing business in all communities in Southeast Alaska?
Petro Marine set to buy Crowley Fuels’ Southeast Alaska business, stoking fears of fuel ‘monopoly’ in Ketchikan
Posted by Eric Stone | Jan 20, 2021
Petro Marine is set to take over Crowley Fuels’ Southeast Alaska business next month, including this facility on Ketchikan’s Stedman Street. The Environmental Protection Agency recently fined Crowley $1.3 million over gasoline tank farm violations. (Photo courtesy of EPA Region 10)
A major player is exiting the energy business in Southeast Alaska. Crowley Fuels is set to sell its Southeast Alaska business to Anchorage-based Petro Marine Services. The deal is expected to close in mid-February. But some fear the move could make life in the panhandle even less affordable.