Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are down by about a penny this week to $3.052 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
On the week, Pennsylvania’s gas price average held steady at $3.02. In the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, gas prices moderately increased on the week with the largest jump of four cents in Washington, D.C.
Gasoline inventories grew by a substantial 1.3 million barrels on the week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). At 62 million barrels total, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast inventories are at their highest levels in nearly two months.
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average: $3.052
Average price during the week of April 30, 2018: $3.058
Average price during the week of May 8, 2017: $2.686
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.988 Altoona
$3.099 Beaver
$3.012 Bradford
$3.059 Brookville
$3.085 Butler
$3.056 Clarion
$3.038 Du Bois
$3.036 Erie
$3.092 Greensburg
$3.099 Indiana
$3.103 Jeannette
$3.107 Kittanning
$3.065 Latrobe
$2.945 Meadville
$3.099 Mercer
$3.041 New Castle
$3.009 New Kensington
$3.080 Pittsburgh
$2.975 Sharon
$2.999 Uniontown
$3.069 Warren
$3.098 Washington
On the National Front
At $2.81, the national gas price average is 45 cents more expensive than a year ago. However, after weeks of increases, the national average held steady and 19 state averages remained flat or saw decreases. Prices could continue to rise as the summer driving season approaches, unofficially kicking-off Memorial Day weekend.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate increased $1.29 cents to settle at $69.72 – a new high for the year. EIA’s weekly petroleum status report noted that U.S. crude production hit another record high at 10.62 million barrels-per-day. The growth in production occurred alongside growth in crude inventories, which grew by 6.2 million barrels last week. At 436 million, inventories are nearly 92 million barrels lower than they were at this time last year.
Domestic crude production will likely see continued growth through 2018 – supported by a steady increase in active oil rigs. Baker Hughes, Inc. reported that last week, the U.S. added nine rigs, placing the total at 834. The total rig count is now 131 more than the figure at the same time last year.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim Garrity, Public & Community Relations Manager
Desk: 412-365-7274 / Cell: 412-905-9021 / Email: Garrity.James@aaaec.com
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