Following last month’s double-digit drop at the gasoline pumps at locations across the state, the average prices have fallen an additional 6 cents per gallon.
According to the latest report from AAA Utah, the average price for a gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline in the state is currently $2.28.
For Carbon County motorists, the average price at local gas pumps is $2.34.
But despite the drop, Utahns are paying 28 cents more than they did a year ago.
The current national average pump price is $2.29 per gallon of regular, unleaded gas. The average price in the United States is 6 cents more than last month’s pump cost and 11 cents more than a year ago.
Despite mild weather on the East Coast, oil, wholesale and retail gasoline all went up last week when the U.S. Department of Energy reported considerable declines in inventories of oil and gasoline.
The energy department’s report, coupled with concern regarding the next move by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries at the OPEC’s Dec. 14 meeting, has forced prices up at locations throughout the majority of the country.
“Fortunately, motorists in Utah have escaped somewhat unscathed by the increase in oil and gas prices,” pointed out Michael Geeser, AAA Utah spokesperson. “That’s good news for those people planning on traveling this upcoming holiday season.”
“But as we’ve all grown accustomed to by now, there isn’t a lot of wiggle room when it comes to supply and demand of crude on the world market which can change our retail gas prices very quickly,” continued Geeser.
Most of the states in the Intermountain West have continued to witness falling gasoline prices since AAA’s last report on Nov. 14.
Montana motorists saw pump prices increase. Montana’s price currently registers $2.34, a 5 cent increase compared to the costs reported in last month’s survey.
The current price for regular, self-serve gasoline in Idaho is $2.38. The cost is 2 cents lower than the price posted in Idaho one month ago.
Wyoming’s current price of $2.26 is 3 cents lower than last month.
Colorado’s price is unchanged at $2.21.
Both Arizona and Nevada saw prices jump from 4 cents to 8 cents per gallon.
California is up 3 cents from last month’s survey.
Motorists residing or stopping at the pumps in all of the Utah cities surveyed by AAA enjoyed a savings at in gasoline prices.
The average pump price in Provo is currently $2.21. The cost is a 3 cent decrease from last month.
Ogden recorded a 6 cent decrease compared to the pump prices reported last month.
The current price in Ogden is $2.25 per gallon.
Logan’s average price of $2.29 is 6 cents lower than last month.
Salt Lake City motorists saw prices drop an average of 5 cents this pat month.
The current average price in Salt Lake for regular, self-serve gasoline is $2.21 per gallon.
The current average pump price in Vernal is $2.39, a 6 cent decrease from last month.
St. George’s average price is $2.37, a 3 cent drop.
Moab’s average price dropped 6 cents to the current price of $2.45.
The cost of crude oil, the raw material from which gas is made, is rising, pointed according to AAA Utah.
The rising cost of crude oil frequently leads to an increase in the retail price of gasoline.
Part of the increase may be result of speculation that the members of OPEC will agree to future cuts in oil production at the organization’s meeting later in the week in an effort to keep prices high, indicated AAA Utah.
Winter weather and its effect on the demand for home heating oil could also have an impact on the cost of crude and gasoline.
As prices at the gasoline pumps continue to drop, motorists can find additional savings by shopping aggressively for the lowest price available, concluded AAA Utah.
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