Gasoline prices down slightly in Washington

MOSES LAKE — Gasoline prices in Washington have fallen nearly 2 cents per gallon over the last week to roughly $3.34 per gallon, according to a regular survey by gasoline price tracking firm Gasbuddy.

However, the nationwide retooling of refineries from summer gasoline blends to winter blends — and more production of kerosene for heating — means that prices have probably not fallen as much as they might otherwise, according to Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy.

“The BP refinery in Cherry Point is undergoing minor maintenance that should be having minimal affect while Shell is likely continuing maintenance at its Anacortes refinery,” DeHaan said.

Despite the decrease, gasoline prices are 32.7 cents per gallon higher than they were at this time last year and roughly a penny higher than they were a month ago.

According to Gasbuddy, the lowest price for gasoline in the Moses Lake area is $3.19 per gallon for regular unleaded at the Sunval station on Kittleson Rd., while the most expensive gasoline is $3.49 per gallon for regular unleaded at the Shell at 1606 N. Broadway Ave.

Washington and California have some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation right now outside of Alaska and Hawaii, according to Gasbuddy’s nationwide map of prices. At 49.4 cents per gallon for both gasoline and diesel fuel, Washington has the second highest state gasoline tax in the country.

As of mid-Thursday, crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange was trading at around $70.80 per barrel — the highest the contract has traded at since July — while commodity gasoline was trading at around $2 per gallon, and has been slowly but steadily declining from a high of more than $2.20 per gallon in May.

DeHaan believes gasoline prices will likely continue to decline.

“With several areas of tropical weather moving away from the U.S. comes some breathing room for energy markets,” DeHaan said. “With oil prices under pressure as the risk premium subsides, setting the stage for some relief at the gas pump as we progress through the week.”

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.