By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County remains in a fairly low gas price position relative to both the state and nation, slightly under the state average.
"Over the past week, motorists have seen some positive change at the pump, with 35 states gas price averages falling," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.
As of Thursday morning, Kansas is at $2.94 a gallon, Reno County is at $2.91. The national average is $3.17.
"Gasoline demand remained relatively flat over the past week," Steward said. "It's sort of too early to say if cheaper gas prices will be sustained or continue their downward trajectory. Part of the unknown is due to fluctuating crude oil prices."
OPEC announced a deal to increase oil production in August. If that happens, that should create downward pressure on the oil market.
"As is always the case with gas prices, it's fluid," Steward said. "It's constantly changing. It's just something that we'll be watching through the next month and beyond."
It also remains to be seen what effect, if any, increasing COVID rates have on travel and thus on gasoline demand.