Below is a press release from AAA:
WASHINGTON, DC — At $2.01, the national gas price average is 11-cents cheaper on the week, 43-cents less expensive on the month and 68-cents less than a year ago.
“This week, the national gas price will drop below $2/gallon for the first time in four years and it won’t stop there as demand for gasoline diminishes as Americans stay home,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Ten states already have averages at $1.75 or less.”
Crude oil continues to price low – in the $20/bbl range – as U.S. gasoline demand decreases to numbers typically seen during the winter driving season. In fact, there is an atypical amount of winter-blend gasoline supply still available, which has caused the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the sale of winter blend past the May 1 deadline to May 20. The agency said they will continue to monitor and, if necessary, extend the waiver again.
“Delaying the switch-over to summer-blend gasoline will contribute to sustained lower prices as summer-blend is more expensive to produce,” added Casselano.
The difference between summer- and winter-blend gasolines is how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. The more volatile a gasoline, the easier it evaporates. Winter-blend fuel must be able to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly, especially when the engine is cold. Summer-blend gasoline has a lower volatility to prevent excessive evaporation when outside temperatures rise. Reducing the volatility of summer gas decreases emissions that can contribute to unhealthy ozone and smog levels.
The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases are: Wisconsin (-22 cents), Montana (-21 cents), Alaska (-19 cents), Oklahoma (-15 cents), California (-15 cents), Arkansas (-14 cents), Idaho (-14 cents), New Hampshire (-13 cents), Kentucky (-13 cents) and Michigan (-13 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Oklahoma ($1.56), Wisconsin ($1.59), Ohio ($1.65), Kentucky ($1.69), Michigan ($1.71), Indiana ($1.72), Mississippi ($1.73), Texas ($1.74), Arkansas ($1.74) and Missouri ($1.75).
Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
On the week, 12 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states saw gas prices push cheaper by at least a dime. These states saw the largest pump price decrease of 13 cents: Maine ($1.93), West Virginia ($1.96), New Hampshire ($2.04), Connecticut ($2.16) and Pennsylvania ($2.22).
With the latest declines, five states in the region now have gas prices under $2/gallon: North Carolina ($1.84), Virginia ($1.85), Maine ($1.93), Delaware ($1.93) and West Virginia ($1.96).
Gasoline stocks drew by 1.2 million. The EIA measures total stocks for the region at 60 million bbl. However, regional refinery utilization bumped up 1% to 58%. Gas prices will continue to decrease across the region in the week ahead, with more states seeing their average fall below $2/gallon.
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 