Gas prices decline in New York, U.S.
The average retail price of gasoline in New York state fell 2.6 cents per gallon last week to settle at $2.71 on Sunday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of more than 6,100 gas outlets in the state.
Local averages midday Monday, according to GasBuddy, were $2.62 in Ulster County, $2.71 in Dutchess County, $2.67 in Greene County and $2.57 in Columbia County.
“Even as oil prices were in rally mode to end last week, gasoline prices continued lower, with the national average moving lower for the third consecutive week,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
The national average Sunday was $2.50 per gallon, down 1.1 cents from the previous week.
“March typically comes in more like a lamb and goes out like a lion, and I certainly would expect more fireworks at the pump as temperatures begin to warm and gasoline demand begins to perk up,” DeHaan said. “Many places have seen at least the first step towards summer gasoline already made. Unlike the transition from summer to winter gasoline, that is much simpler, the transition to the more strict fuel coming into the regulated summer months is a bit trickier, especially considering the amount of work going into refineries ahead of the summer driving season, which is more
New York’s average gas price Sunday was 1.8 cents per gallon lower than a month earlier but still 26.7 cents higher than a year ago.
like the running of the bulls where refineries try to stay ahead of the rise in demand.
“No matter what happens with oil, any curve ball to this work has a tendency to act as a spark in the combustion process — something will likely ignite gas prices, but it’s unpredictable when and to what degree,” DeHaan said.
New York’s average gas price Sunday was 1.8 cents per gallon lower than a month earlier but still 26.7 cents higher than a year ago.
The national average has decreased 7.3 cents per gallon during the last month but stands 22 cents higher than a year ago.
According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Feb. 26 in New York state have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.44 per gallon in 2017, $1.93 in 2016, $2.50 in 2015, $3.70 in 2014 and $4.01 in 2013.