Gas Prices Climb As Crude Oil Rises

Gas prices are 12 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.698 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down six cents from last week at $4.29 even though crude oil prices are up to around $100 per barrel. The national average has stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and is currently more than a dollar higher than it was this time last year. The fall months typically bring lower gas prices, but volatility in the oil market has led to seasonal record highs this year.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.76 million barrels per day to 8.40 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 204.7 million barrels to 208.3 million. Gasoline production decreased from 9.34 million barrels per day to 9.23 million barrels.