Get even at the pump

June 19, 2008 12:15 am

ACROSS THE STATE, more than 1,800 gasoline pumps are un- able to handle prices above $3.99.9. That's why Gov. Kaine last month issued an executive order allowing the 840 retailers (most of which are in Southwest Virginia) in that predicament to use "half-pricing" on their pumps--that is, to show the cost of petrol per half-gallon.

The accommodation lasts only until Sept. 30 and requires stations to clearly post the irregular pricing on the pumps. Pricing-conversion kits are in short supply, so the governor's order, which particularly helps smaller retailers, is a needed stopgap. After Sept. 30, retailers with unconverted pumps will have to stop selling gas.

However, Virginia should go one step further and become the first state in the nation to discontinue the anachronistic ".9" pricing on gas. Just charge even dollars and cents. Once, when fuel cost 18 cents a gallon, adding the ".9" was a clever way to get almost a penny more. Now, with gas above $4, the .9 is a silly nuisance.

Why not set the pace? Forget the .9, Virginia.