FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
By The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Governor Manchin says he plans to ask President Bush to release some of the nation's strategic petroleum reserve to help stabilize the cost of fuel.
More than 60 truckers rallied at the state Capitol Friday to protest high fuel costs.
Manchin was away from the Capitol but he spoke to the protest leaders by phone.
The governor says releasing some of the strategic petroleum reserve would be a short-term solution. He says the key is getting the federal government to understand the urgency of the issue.
Both diesel and unleaded gasoline per-gallon prices remain within two cents of state record highs hit last month.
State taxes account for 31.5 cents in those prices, ranking West Virginia within the top 13 nationwide for both diesel and gas tax rates. But those taxes provide 61 percent of the state's revenue for its main road fund.
Friday's protest at the Capitol follows similar protests by truckers across the country this week.
FRIDAY MORNING
Charleston, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Truckers lined up at a Flatwoods, West Virginia, truck stop Friday morning to get ready to make a trip to Charleston.
The truckers are coming to West Virginia to make a statement about the skyrocketing cost of diesel fuel. Thursday, most stations in our region had prices of $4.05.
Charleston Police estimate there will be anywhere between 200-800 trucks. They weren't ever able to nail down a firm number. They did determine they could park 300 trucks safely on Kanawha Boulevard in front of the Capitol Building. That means the Boulevard will be shut down both ways between California Avenue and Greenbrier Street until 3pm. That could change, though, depending on the number of people who show up at the rally.
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