Digital Subscription

tool name

close
tool goes here

No relief at the pump with region's prices

Drivers across most of the country have been getting a break on gas prices, but not on the West Coast.

Published: May 15, 2012 at 12:05 a.m. PDT
0 comments

Drivers across most of the country have been getting a break on gas prices, but not on the West Coast.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.20 in Washington and $4.35 in California. The average price in Oregon is $4.17. That’s up 16 cents from last week.

The average in Tacoma late Monday was $4.245, as listed by thenewstribune.com/ gasprices.

Meanwhile, the national average price dropped 5 cents to $3.73.

Analysts say a shortage tied to refinery issues has caused prices to spike in the region’s wholesale market.

The planned restart of a BP refinery in Washington state failed last week, and five of California’s 12 refineries have reduced production because of scheduled maintenance.

Analysts expect the surge in prices to be short-lived as refineries return to normal production.

The Associated Press

JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here

We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.

SPORTS
SOUTH SOUND
BLOGS
CONTESTS

Similar stories

  • Washington state gas prices could be lower in 2013 if refineries stay on track

    Analysts are expecting Washington residents to pay slightly less for gas this year, but plenty of factors could mess up that forecast.

    With increased domestic oil production and lower demand, AAA expects gas prices to be less expensive across the country compared to 2012. In a new report, AAA expects national average prices to peak around $3.80 a gallon and Washington state prices to peak around $3.95 a gallon.

    In a separate study, GasBuddy, a price-tracking website, predicts gas prices will peak nationally in April, reaching $4.05 a gallon.

  • Senators want gas price spikes explained

    Six Democratic senators representing states along the Pacific Coast, including Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, asked the Justice Department on Tuesday to investigate high gas prices in May and October while crude oil prices were declining.

  • Bellingham gas prices soar heading toward Memorial Day

    Just when it appeared gas prices at the pump were going to be relatively low this spring, another spike has hit Whatcom County and much of Western Washington.

    On Friday, May 10, the average price for a gallon of gas was $3.95 in Bellingham, a 21-cent jump compared to last week, according to AAA Washington's Fuel Gauge report.

    The rise is happening in Western Washington: In Olympia, for example, the average price also jumped 21 cents in one week to $3.88 a gallon.

  • Gasoline prices get early start on spring surge

    NEW YORK — Gasoline prices are getting an early start on their annual spring march higher.

    The average U.S. retail price rose 13 cents over the past two weeks to $3.42 per gallon, and within a few days will likely set a record for this time of year.

    The culprits: Rising crude oil prices, slowing output at refineries that are undergoing maintenance, and low supplies of gasoline.

  • Oil refiners gird up to do battle over state’s ‘extracted fuel’ tax plan

    Democrat Jay Inslee makes no secret he wants to promote high-tech and clean-energy jobs in a long-term economic shift away from fossil fuels. And he says he wants to funnel more taxpayer cash into K-12 public schools.