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Increased demand for gas continues but at slower pace

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from AAA:

Today’s average is $1.98, which is 2 cents higher than a week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.83. The New York State average is $2.18 – same as last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.94.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

  • Batavia -- $2.22 (up 1 cent since last week)*
  • Buffalo -- $2.20 (down 1 cent since last week)
  • Ithaca -- $2.10 (down 2 cents since last week)
  • Rochester -- $2.20 (no change since last week)
  • Rome -- $2.18 (no change since last week)
  • Syracuse -- $2.09 (up 1 cent since last week)
  • Watertown -- $2.18 (no change since last week)

Due to more communities re-opening, the demand for gasoline is increasing, leading to an increase in national, state and local gas prices. As we transition through the reopening phases, and more businesses open across NYS, the demand will grow stronger and will continue to drive up local pump prices. Also, another contributing factor to the higher prices we typically see as the weather warms: summer blend fuel. This more expensive blend of gasoline cost more to produce than winter blend, which also impacts our pump prices during summertime.

*NOTE: The Batavia price reflects an average price for gas stations from throughout the county.

From GasBuddy:

"The pace of increases has begun to throttle back over the last week in most states as gasoline demand's recovery has slowed, keeping prices from matching their rapid pace from just a couple weeks ago.

Prices will continue to move in lockstep with the coronavirus situation, so it remains challenging to know where prices will go in the weeks ahead," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Oil prices saw another weekly rise, closing last week at over $35 per barrel due to a collision between oil production cuts and gasoline demand in the U.S. which has been on the mend, leading oil's rally.

"The recovery in gas prices is likely to continue, though at a slower pace than what we've seen, with $2 per gallon likely coming in the next week or two."

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