NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There's been some mild relief at the gas pump in recent days.
"Reno County's a little bit higher today at $3.73 a gallon," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Today in Kansas, we're at $3.66 a gallon. That is down 16 cents in the past month and down seven cents from where we were a week ago."
The state is the second-cheapest for gas this week and there is some overall downward pressure on the crude oil market.
"The global oil market has seen lower prices since the U.S. and some of its allies have agreed to significant releases of oil reserves. We've also seen some indicators from China, where resurgent COVID-19 infections are causing the potential for economic slowdown in one of the world's largest oil consuming nations."
It remains to be seen what impact President Biden's executive order allowing for the continued production of E15 may do for overall supply.
"We'll be watching that," Steward said. "In terms of AAA's position on E15, we support the development and use of alternative fuels and we recommend that drivers refer to their owner's manual and see if their vehicle is compatible with E15 fuel before using it."
The Biden administration estimates gas prices will be on average about 10 cents cheaper after EPA waives E15 during the summer months.