WA gas prices consistently higher most of U.S., CCA causes jump
Fuel prices in Moses Lake are higher than the state average of $4.25 per gallon, depending on how one pays at this particular Shell station. Paying with credit, consumers will pay 50 cents more, while paying with cash will have them handing over 34 cents more than the state average per gallon. The difference in price is not indicative of price gouging, but rather of the cost to provide fuel to rural communities.
R. HANS MILLER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE — According to an analysis by Gas Buddy, an organization that monitors fuel prices, Washington has consistently had higher average gas prices for July 1 of each year since 2014, even before increases resulting from the Climate Commitment Act’s carbon fees came into play.
Fuel prices have been increasing slightly nationwide as oil prices remain high, according to a press release from GasBuddy.
"As we approach July 4 later this week, motorists have seen the national average price of gasoline inch up ever so slightly for the third straight week," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "While the increases have been fairly tame, with oil continuing to hold above $80 per barrel, we could continue to see the national average climb slightly.”
On Monday, the average statewide fuel price for regular gasoline was $4.25 per gallon. The only state with a higher average regular gasoline price was California with an average price of $4.75 per gallon, as reported by GasBuddy.
Nationally, fuel prices have edged upward by about a nickel over the last week.
As a whole, fuel has cost more than the national average for the last decade when July 1 of each year is examined. Prices on record with GasBuddy for July 1 are as follows, noting that the Climate Commitment Act went into effect Jan. 1, 2023:
• 2023: $4.95/g (U.S. $3.52/g) Difference: $1.43
• 2022: $5.45/g (U.S. $4.83/g) Difference: $0.62
• 2021: $3.71/g (U.S. $3.12/g) Difference: $0.59
• 2020: $2.66/g (U.S. $2.18/g) Difference: $0.48
• 2019: $3.28/g (U.S. $2.72/g) Difference: $0.56
• 2018: $3.39/g (U.S. $2.84/g) Difference: $0.55
• 2017: $2.77/g (U.S. $2.23/g) Difference: $0.54
• 2016: $2.65/g (U.S. $2.27/g) Difference: $0.38
• 2015: $3.19/g (U.S. $2.76/g) Difference: $0.43
• 2014: $3.99/g (U.S. $3.67/g) Difference: $0.32
Prices may go up as the July 4 holiday approaches and other factors come into play.
“For many Americans hitting the road for the July 4 holiday, prices in most areas are very comparable to what we saw last July 4. However, with Hurricane Beryl now formed in the Caribbean, we're reminded that gas prices could experience some jolts in the second half of the summer should a storm threaten refining capacity in Texas or Louisiana,” De Haan said.