But they’re still higher compared to last year.
Towson, Md (KM) It appears that the cost of gasoline, which was going up as a result of Hurricane Harvey, is coming down. “This is now the result of the Gulf Coast refineries, the Colonial Pipeline up to speed, and gasoline supplies being distributed now throughout the region rather than a lot of them being diverted down to the Gulf Coast to help those folks,” says Christine Delise, a spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The hurricane, which made landfall in Texas and flooded the city of Houston, knocked out refinery capacity and shut down the Colonial Pipeline which delivers petroleum products from the Houston area to New York City. But Delise says with these facilities back in operation, gasoline supplies are increasing. “We’ve been seeing prices on a downward slide very slowly since Friday, which is good news. And Maryland’s average at the moment is four-cents lower than just a week ago,” she says.
Currently, according to AAA, the average price of unleaded regular gasoline in the state is $2.70 per gallon. The auto club says the price a month ago was $2.32 per gallon, and a year ago, it was $2.15 per gallon.
In Frederick, the average price is $2.66 per gallon, which is seven-cents lower that a week ago, and 37-cents higher that last month.
Delise says the EPA also helped with the gasoline price decline by allowing gas stations in 38 states, including Maryland, to begin selling the lower cost winter blend gasoline before they’re required to do so on September 15th.
AAA says prices are expected to continue dropping over the next few weeks. But Delise reminds us that hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30th, and any big storm along the Gulf Coast could knock out oil refining and transmission, pushing the price at the pump upward. “Let’s cross our fingers that doesn’t happen,” says Delise. “We know it was predicted for an active hurricane season this year, and the forecast so far is holding true.”
AAA has a variety of ways to help motorists, members and non-members, find the lowest price for gasoline. To find the lowest costs in your area go to Fuel Price Finder at AAA.com/fuelfinder. To help budget your travel expenses, you can to the AAA Gas Cost Calculator at GasPrices.AAA.com/AAA-gas-cost-calculator. TripTik Mobile at AAA.com/mobile help plots fuel prices along your travel route.
By Kevin McManus