A widespread misconception in Alaska is that the state’s crude oil is shipped away, refined Outside, and returned to be sold as fuel. The last part is not entirely true, so a fact reported in this month’s cover story bears repeating here: most of the gasoline in Southcentral Alaska (and thus, most gasoline sold in the state) is produced and refined locally.
The refinery in Nikiski does heroic work to keep Alaska’s motors running, as do the state’s other refiners, distributors, and retailers. To better understand the unsung industry underpinning every mode of transportation, Vitus Energy granted us a closer look at its Midtown Anchorage gas station. We choose to light a candle rather than curse the darkness of another price hike.
But please don’t light a candle next to a gasoline pump.
