NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Though events can happen with weather or refinery outages that impact the price at the pump negatively, right now the U.S. is getting gasoline into the system well enough to help out drivers, according to Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.
"Gas prices this week have been on the decline," Steward said. "Our statewide average in Kansas is $3.65 a gallon. That's down seven cents from a week ago. The national average is also down four cents to $3.83. Some good trends in terms of where you want to be as a driver, seeing those prices headed down."
Speaking generally, that's the case for area counties, as well.
County averages:
Reno: $3.57
McPherson: $3.56
Harvey: $3.58
Sedgwick: $3.64
Kingman: $3.64
Pratt: $3.74
Stafford: $3.67
Rice: $3.60
"Crude oil has remained pretty high, in terms of its per barrel price of $92 or so," Steward said. "OPEC cuts in oil production seem to be being offset by record U.S. oil production and that seems to be balancing out the prices somewhat."
In addition, seasonal changes in refining are helping, too.
"We have started to see winter blend gasoline into the system," Steward said. "That typically drops the price a little bit. Domestic gasoline demand has stayed pretty steady. We haven't seen a big drop yet."
When weather worsens, that usually has an impact on demand and prices then drop at the pump as less people are driving away from home.
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