Gas Prices Remain Unchanged

Yakima residents are paying the same price for gas as they did a week ago. Average retail gasoline prices in Yakima have not moved in the past week, averaging $3.71 per gallon yesterday, nearly identical to July 1, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 91 gas outlets in Yakima. The national average has fallen 0.5 cents per gallon in the past week to $3.49 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Gas prices yesterday were 8.9 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 5.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 14.4 cents per gallon during the past month and stands 7.8 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

"After blaming higher gasoline prices on refineries for much of the early spring and summer, it now seems that higher oil prices may be to blame for an expected up tick in the national average," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan.

"Oil prices have silently been tracking higher after tension in Egypt started to impact the market, driving oil prices higher. In turn, gasoline prices have begun to stage a rally as well. Oil closed last week at its highest level in over a year, and it may lead to a gentler rally in retail gas price than what we saw earlier this year, but a rally none the less.