By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the weather has cooled this week, prices at the pump have begun what may be a downward trend toward winter.
"Since last Friday, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Kansas has dropped one cent to $1.99 a gallon," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That's 3 cents more than a month ago, but still significantly cheaper, by 36 cents than we were a year ago."
Demand for gas is down right now.
"Here in Reno County, we're at $1.98, a cent cheaper than the statewide average," Steward said. "Hutchinson is right at the state average of $1.99. Kansas $1.99 a gallon registers as 11th cheapest in the country this week."
There's more gas in the system now than there has been recently.
"The stocks of gasoline on hand rose in the past week," Steward said. "That, coupled with the lower demand that we've seen at the pumps has driven the prices down slightly. We anticipate that trend to continue as we head into the cooler fall months."
Also, the less expensive to produce winter blend of gasoline will begin to make its appearance at the pumps in the next month or so.