A gallon of gas under $2
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Kelli Palmer-Stephens
Standard-Examiner Staff
G
asoline prices have dropped below $2 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel in Utah, but the trend probably won't last long, according to AAA Utah.
When the weather turns warm and the demand for gas increases, so will the price, said Rolayne Fairclough, a spokeswoman for AAA Utah.
"It's tough to say how long we'll benefit from the low-price trend, but it's unlikely it'll be long term," said Sean Comey, spokesman for AAA Utah.
The price decline has been steady for the last month, with a statewide average of $2.15 per gallon of unleaded fuel, down 13 cents since Jan. 16, according to an AAA press release.
A year ago Tuesday, the Ogden and Salt Lake City gas price average was $2.41 per gallon for regular unleaded, reaching a high Aug. 21 of $2.94, and $3.50 for diesel, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report.
Refineries are cleaning out their inventories as they do twice a year in October and March while the demand for gas is low, Fairclough said, which is a possible reason for low prices.
Unleaded gas at Maverik Country Store on 12th Street and Wall Avenue in Ogden is currently selling gas for $1.99.
Teisha Hienes, an employee at the store, said there was such an influx of customers the first day the prices dropped below $2 two weeks ago, they ran out of gas in the middle of the day.
"People waited a half an hour while we brought in more gas," she said. "We had a lot of good comments about the price."
Monika Jennings the Assistant operations manager at the Maverik store has heard that the prices are going to increase.
"I don't think the prices should go up, everybody uses it," she said. "I don't see why we have to pay so much."
Maverik in Layton is selling regular unleaded gas for $1.98 a gallon and Flying J in Ogden retails a gallon for $1.99.
"I'm hoping the gas prices will stay this way, but if not, what can you do?" said Flying J customer Kyle Blair, of Ogden.
Factors such as cold weather are driving gas prices higher outside of Utah, according to the release.
The current national state average for unleaded is $2.23 per gallon.
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