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Pump Prices Inching Toward $2 A Gallon In The Bay Area

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By RUSSELL RAY

rray@tampatrib.com

Published: February 10, 2009

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," AAA spokesman Gregg Laskoski said.

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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