Assuming an unhampered market economy free of government intervention, If the local gas prices in NJ skyrocketed, people would shift gasoline supplies to NJ to take advantage of the price discrepancy, driving prices down in NJ towards the market clearing price. High gas prices definitely hurt, but we live in an imperfect world of scarcity and economic laws will always apply. The market must be allowed to adjust accordingly with price signals.
-Andrew
