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Tampa Area Gas Prices Getting Closer To $2 A Gallon

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2009

Updated: 02/09/2009 08:29 am

TAMPA - The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the Tampa Bay area has risen 9 cents in two weeks, despite low oil prices.

Local retailers are charging $1.93 for a gallon of regular unleaded, up from $1.84 on Jan. 26, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. A month ago, the same grade of fuel was averaging $1.77 a gallon.

Oil prices, meanwhile, have held steady at about $40 a barrel.

Industry observers attribute the increase in pump prices to a cutback in production as refineries shut down units for seasonal maintenance.

"A recession and rising unemployment translates into fewer motorists on the road and diminishing fuel consumption, and yet, retail prices climb higher," said AAA spokesman Gregg Laskoski.

Nationally, a gallon of regular unleaded is averaging $1.92 a gallon, down from $2.96 a year ago, according to AAA's daily survey.

The survey is based on credit card transactions at 100,000 gas stations across the United States.

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

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