After months of steady increases, state and national gas price averages have dropped a penny, says AAA Northeast.
In Connecticut, today’s statewide average for a gallon of self-service, regular is $3.15, 1 cent less than last week and 94 cents higher than last year.
On the national level, the average price is $3.16, also a cent less than last week and 98 cents higher than last year.
Global issues including declining demand, the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant and OPEC’s recent production agreement are among the factors contributing to price drop, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.
“The wild card affecting prices, however, is the fluctuating price of crude,” said Mayko. “But right now, it’s too early to say if cheaper pump prices will continue their drop.”
For prices to decline, OPEC will have to act, crude prices will have to drop, and the global market will need to adjust for Covid’s resurgence, said Mayko. “If all these factors occur, we’ll see lower prices in August, although the national average will most likely be above $3.”
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $3.22 Lower Fairfield County $3.21
New Haven/Meriden $3.13 Greater Hartford $3.11
New London/Norwich $3.19 Windham/Middlesex $3.15
Statewide Average: $3.15
Today, Mississippi and Louisiana register the lowest prices in the nation at $2.78 and $2.81, respectively. California and Hawaii continue to hold the highest prices in the nation at $4.33 and $4.07, respectively. Connecticut remains at the 18th spot on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Average gas prices may be obtained daily through www.gasprices.aaa.com.