2025 Letters to NYS asking why Hornell area pump prices are “consistently higher” than its neighbors are still unanswered
By Andrew Harris
In late 2024 we published a headline “Filling up in the Canisteo Valley: Why is gas more expensive ?” Prices at the pump were as much as $.40/per gallon more than twenty miles down the interstate in Bath NY. Nearly all gas station in Hornell, Arkport, and Canisteo offered the same or very similar prices per gallon.
City of Hornell Mayor John Buckley noticed the reporting and agreed that something wasn’t making sense.
Why would gas in other Steuben County communities, all just off I-86, have such different prices and why was Hornell the highest ? If location and volume are key elements of the pricing at the pump, the price in Bath and Hornell should be comparable. In late 2024 the price gap was about forty cents per gallon!
In early 2025 Mayor Buckley and other Canisteo Valley leaders sent this letter to state consumer protection and finance regulators:
January 28, 2026
Dear Representatives of the New York State Department of State — Division of Consumer Protection and the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance,
We are writing on behalf of local municipal leadership in the Canisteo Valley to respectfully request your assistance in reviewing a persistent regional disparity in retail gasoline pricing that is having a measurable impact on our residents.
Over the past several years, gasoline prices at stations located from the Village of Canisteo through the City of Hornell and the Village of Arkport have remained consistently and significantly higher than those in the Village of Bath and other nearby communities. This price differential has frequently ranged from 30 to 40 cents per gallon, despite Bath being located only approximately 20 miles away along State Route 86 and operating within the same broader regional market.
We recognize that fuel pricing is influenced by a range of legitimate factors, including wholesale supply contracts, transportation costs, and market dynamics. However, the consistency and magnitude of this disparity have raised concerns among residents and local officials alike, particularly given the essential role fuel plays in commuting, access to healthcare, and regional economic activity.
As small local governments, we do not have the resources or technical capacity to independently analyze fuel supply chains or pricing structures. We are therefore requesting state-level assistance to help determine whether the observed pricing differences are attributable to identifiable market factors or whether further review may be warranted. Specifically, we respectfully request:
- A review of whether fuel distribution or supply conditions in the Canisteo Valley differ materially from those serving nearby communities such as Bath;
- Guidance on whether the pricing patterns observed are typical for similarly situated regions; and
- Recommendations for any appropriate next steps to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers.
Our intent is not to assign blame, but to better understand the circumstances affecting our residents and to ensure they are treated equitably within the regional marketplace. We would welcome any analysis, insight, or direction your agencies are able to provide.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We appreciate your continued commitment to consumer protection and fair market practices across New York State.
Sincerely,
| John Buckley Mayor, City of Hornell | Joseph Ingalls Mayor, Village of North Hornell | Rick McInroy Mayor, Village of Canisteo | George Prete Mayor, Village of Arkport | Dan Broughton Supervisor Town of Hornellsville |
The letter went unanswered. Gas prices continued to be notably higher in Hornell and Arkport than in Bath in 2025 and although the gap had narrowed to between ten and twenty cents, Buckley was compelled to send a follow up to NYS:
“On January 28, 2026, our offices jointly submitted a letter requesting your assistance in reviewing the persistent disparity in retail gasoline pricing within the Canisteo Valley region. We are writing to respectfully follow up on that correspondence.
To date, we have not received any acknowledgment or update regarding the status of our inquiry. As this issue continues to impact our residents, many of whom rely on personal transportation for work, healthcare, and daily necessities, the need for clarity and insight remains both relevant and pressing.”
Today, May 6, 2026, Mayor Buckley and other leaders still haven’t had any reply. As gas prices have surged across the nation, the Hornell area appears to be paying a higher prices still. This morning on our go-to GasBuddy.com, local prices per gallon look like this:
Hornell: Every station is at $4.49 except Stop n Shop on Loder Street at $4.44
Canisteo: All stations list $4.49
Arkport: $4.39
Bath: Lowest price is $4.25 at Citgo, most stations at $4.39, outlier Sunoco is at $4.69
We will continue to monitor this situation and will report any response or information relayed to Mayor Buckley from NYS officials. Read our original reporting from 2024 below:
