PARKERSBURG – Gasoline and grocery retailers in West Virginia have seen changes in the buying habits of consumers with the price of fuel rising, according to a trade association president.

“Consumers are becoming more cautious, driving less, combining trips and sometimes purchasing smaller amounts of fuel,” said Traci L. Nelson, president of the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association. “It reflects the pressure higher prices are putting on household budgets.”

Fuel prices have soared since President Donald Trump with Israel initiated the war with Iran about six weeks ago. Peace talks ended without a settlement on Sunday, and the president announced a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, expected to further escalate the prices of oil and continue to raise the price of fuel and other goods.

Gasoline has neared an average of $4 a gallon for regular in West Virginia, AAA reported.

The average for regular unleaded in West Virginia was $3.91 per gallon, a little cheaper than a week ago, but more than 50 cents a gallon from a month ago, according to Monday’s AAA East Central Gas Report. Nationally, the average for a price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.12, according to AAA, which tracks gasoline prices.

In Parkersburg, the average is $3.69, AAA said. A week ago it was $3.894.

Consumers are not only feeling the impact of higher gasoline costs, higher fuel costs are increasing the prices paid on other goods including food.

“We’ve seen this pattern before. When fuel prices rise, the cost of goods follows,” Nelson said. “What’s different today is that fuel costs are just one of several pressures, which can make the impact feel more significant.”

The cost of fuel touches every part of the supply chain, so the impact is widespread, she said. “Items that require long-distance shipping or refrigeration, like produce and meats, tend to be affected more quickly,” Nelson said.

The most important thing the state can do is avoid adding to the cost burden, she said. Stable taxes and regulations, along with policies that support a reliable fuel supply and efficient infrastructure, are key to keeping costs down for both businesses and consumers, Nelson said.

The Democratic minority in the West Virginia House of Delegates last week asked Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey to call a special session of the Legislature to consider a temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel excise tax, currently averaging 36 cents a gallon. Residents of West Virginia have paid more than $41 million more for fuel since the war started on Feb. 28, the Democrats said.

“Suspending the gas tax is a direct, immediate way to put money back in people’s pockets,” House Democratic Leader Sean Hornbuckle said.

Proposed is a method based on market conditions to automatically suspend the excise tax when wholesale fuel prices exceed the pre-war baseline established in February. The tax would be suspended while prices remain elevated, but reinstated when prices stabilize.

The relief would expire in January.

Morrisey’s office said while the governor is in regular communication with legislators about issues for a special session, “We will carefully review any proposal aimed at lowering costs for West Virginians, while continuing to focus on responsible budgeting and opportunities to build on the income tax relief we provided to our citizens.”

Comments from House Speaker Randy Hanshaw and Senate President Randy Blair were not immediately available.

“We understand the concern around rising fuel prices and appreciate that policymakers are looking for ways to provide relief,” Nelson said.

It’s not a simple solution, she said. While offering short-term relief, it affects funding for roads and bridges, Nelson said.

“From our perspective, the focus should be on long-term, sustainable solutions that ensure a stable and reliable fuel supply while maintaining the infrastructure that supports it,” Nelson said. “Temporary measures can be helpful to discuss, but they need to be carefully evaluated to ensure they deliver meaningful relief to consumers without creating unintended consequences.”