Vehicles come and go from a busy Tulalip Market gas station as the price for regular unleaded drops to $2.99 Thursday, in Tulalip. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Vehicles come and go from a busy Tulalip Market gas station as the price for regular unleaded drops to $2.99 Thursday, in Tulalip. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

On Tulalip Reservation, gas prices fall below $3

The tribes’ two gas stations switched to a Yakama Nation-owned distributor. The result? Cheaper gas, bustling pumps.

TULALIP — Gas prices at two stations on the Tulalip Reservation plummeted to $2.99 a gallon on Thursday, thanks to a deal the tribes struck with a Yakama Nation-owned distributor.

The Tulalip Market gas station at 2832 116th St. NE in Tulalip, just north of the tribes’ Quil Ceda Village shopping center, was bustling Thursday afternoon. No pump was left unoccupied for more than a moment before another vehicle pulled up. An electronic sign on the street corner nearby advertised the switch to a new, less-expensive fuel. The tribes’ other gas station at 3110 Marine Drive showed the same low prices.

The drastic price drop comes courtesy of the Tulalip Tribes’ recent switch from its previous Chevron distributor to Cougar Den, a fuel distribution company owned by the Yakama Nation, said Quil Ceda Village general manager Martin Napeahi.

Napeahi said that since fuel is being sold from one Indigenous tribe to another, it’s not subject to state gas taxes. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Yakama Nation Treaty of 1855 preempted a Washington state law claiming the ability to tax fuel bought by a tribal corporation for sale to tribal members. The result is that the tribes can pass on those savings to consumers, Napeahi said.

“With the holiday season coming up, and with us heading to a recession if not already in one, we wanted to provide a bit of relief at the pump if we can,” Napeahi said.

Tulalip’s prices were the lowest in the Everett area as of Friday, according to price-tracking site GasBuddy. Typical rates hovered between $3.80 to $4.20, with the Everett Costco and an independent station on West Casino Road tied for the lowest in the city at $3.69 a gallon. The only serious competition seemed to be $2.70 gas in Anacortes, if you’re willing to make the trek to Skagit County.

Gas prices on the Tulalip Reservation are already typically lower than other options in the area thanks to the tribes’ tax arrangement with the state. The tribes keep the state gas tax of 49 cents per gallon, so they have more flexibility in their pricing. That tax revenue is earmarked for road maintenance and infrastructure, Napeahi said.

Napeahi said one goal of the dramatic decrease in prices was to increase the volume of gas sold and bring in more tax funds for those services. Like everyone else, tribal expenses have skyrocketed in the era of inflation, he said. So tribal leaders hope to bring in some extra revenue while helping others save a few bucks, too.

“Of course we want to be competitive, but our intention here isn’t to start a price war,” Napeahi said. “We want to help cut down on some of the stress of everyday living where we can.”

Riley Haun: 425-339-3192; riley.haun@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @RHaunID.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.