Gas Prices Down Again To Start a New Month

Average retail gasoline prices in Yakima have fallen 3.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.96 a gallon Sunday, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com's daily survey of 91 gas outlets in Yakima.

That compares with the national average, which has increased 2.7 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.05/gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Yakima during the past week, prices Sunday were 125.8 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 44.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 15.7 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 122.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“The four-month slide in gasoline prices has indeed come to a halt," said GasBuddy's senior petroleum analyst, Gregg Laskoski. "A reduction in refinery output has been matched in recent weeks by sharp increases in wholesale gasoline prices.

“Since Jan. 7 through Friday (Jan 30) wholesale prices on average are up 20 cents per gallon, so there's no doubt now that the first-quarter climb is underway and is already being reflected in rising prices at the pump."