Gas prices see increases locally, drop nationally
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 3 weeks AGO
MOSES LAKE – Washington and Grant County both saw slight increases in fuel prices this week. Adams County remained steady and national prices saw slight decreases.
“After rising for two straight weeks, the national average price of gasoline saw a slight decline in the last week as oil prices fell below $64 per barrel, paving the way for prices to ease in most states,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
However, Grant County and Washington did not see the same trend the rest of the nation saw.
“As we approach the peak of hurricane season, forecasts are showing favorable conditions for tropical development, so we’ll be watching closely for any potential impact on supply and prices as Labor Day nears,” De Haan said.
In Grant County, prices saw a four-cent increase this week with the average sitting at $4.39, according to AAA. This is the same average price the county was seeing a month ago.
In Adams County, prices remained steady for the second week in a row with an average of $4.33, according to AAA. As of a month ago, prices were sitting one cent higher at $4.34.
Both Grant and Adams counties are sitting in the middle of the pack for fuel prices in the state.
The most expensive county remains San Juan County at $5.27, the same as last week, according to AAA. Asotin County remained the cheapest at $3.70, which is a four-cent decrease from last week.
Washington’s fuel prices also saw a slight increase this week of three cents bringing the average price to $4.41. As of a month ago, prices were sitting at $4.40, or one cent cheaper. As of a year ago, prices were 18 cents cheaper with prices sitting at $4.23.
Washington remains the third most expensive state to purchase fuel in, with only California at $4.50 and Hawaii at $4.46 with higher prices in the nation. Following Washington is Oregon at $3.99, Alaska at $3.76 and Nevada at $3.76.
The national average saw a slight decrease of one cent, bringing the average fuel price to $3.14, according to AAA. One month ago, prices were sitting at a higher average of $3.17, or three cents more expensive. As of a year ago, prices are down 31 cents from an average of $3.45.
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