Gas prices slam West Coast drivers
Gas prices have dropped across the United States, with the exception of California, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
While gasoline prices continue to fall elsewhere across the nation, West Coast drivers are getting walloped with prices way above the $4 mark, and one prediction has them jumping an additional 12 cents by next week.
"Regular self-serve gasoline in Washington was selling Monday for an average $4.20 -- more than 47 cents higher than the national average, according to the AAA auto club. That gap has more than doubled in the past month," The Seattle Times reports. (Post continues below.)
Nationwide, the average today is $3.727, down from $3.763 a week ago and far below the $3.907 average a month ago, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.
That's cause to rejoice, unless you happen to live in one of these states:
- Alaska, where the average price today is $4.497.
- California, $4.357, an increase of more than 15 cents in the last week.
- Oregon, $4.186, about 16 cents higher than a week ago.
- Washington, $4.212, more than 12 cents higher.
Why the big difference in gas prices on the coast? BP has been unable to restart a Washington refinery damaged by fire in February. Meanwhile, four of California's 12 refineries are closed for maintenance.
"Gasoline supplies in California are down more than 20% from a year ago. West Coast gasoline stocks haven't been this low in the month of May since May 1992, according to the Department of Energy," The Associated Press reports.
Several analysts predicted that high West Coast prices will last through Independence Day.
Are you paying these prices at the pump? How are you adjusting your budget?
More from MSN Money:
Prices have been going up, and the media has been spouting the prices are going down. Problem: the reports are always at least a week or two behind the facts. Just like the "Jobs Report: Jobs are increasing." Where, might I ask, is that? Oh. It's in the Washington Labor Department reports. Too bad the so-called experts are just beaurocrats, instead of real p[eople actually looking for work.
It's all "smoke and mirrors."
All the politicians will slant any report to suit their own reelection needs.
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