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Pump prices dropping over swine flu fears

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 29, 2009

TAMPA - Gasoline prices have dropped below $2 a gallon at many locations in the Tampa Bay area and elsewhere due to fears that the swine flu outbreak could hurt summer travel.

Oil fell for the second straight day Tuesday, dropping 22 cents to close at $49.92 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Several Bay area retailers are charging $1.94 to $1.97 for a gallon of regular-grade gas, according to gasbuddy.com, which tracks the lowest and highest pump prices in markets nationwide.

The Bay area average is $2.03 a gallon, down 1 cent over the last month, according to AAA.

Pump prices are falling at a time when they normally rise. Prices typically peak during the summer travel season, which runs from May through September.

Meanwhile, oil and gasoline supplies continue to grow amid the weak economy, according to the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the Department of Energy.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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