Correcting the Oil Industry's Errors

"Flat out wrong. That's the only way to describe the oil industry's claims about a proposed increase to Washington's hazardous substance tax. Consider this ill-informed article at Washington State Wire:

    [subhead] As Much as Six Cents a Gallon

    The money has to come from somewhere, though – your local gas station, for instance. Opponents say the plan could raise gas prices as much as six cents a gallon, if oil companies can find a way to pass the full amount on to consumers. Because of the competitive nature of the oil business, refiners may have to eat some of the cost.

This is wrong -- obviously wrong -- on at least two counts. 1) It's bad math. 2) It's self-contradictory..."