NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Prices at the pump are continuing a general downward trend for fuel buyers, according to Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.
"The average gas price in Kansas is $2.96 a gallon," Steward said. "We're under that $3 a gallon threshold. Currently, 13 states across the country have a sub-$3 average. We're definitely trending down in many areas of the country."
"Right now, demand is pretty light in the United States," Steward said. "It has been for a while. Crude oil prices have been fairly stable to falling. We do have a situation with Hurricane Francine, which has bumped up prices one to one and a half percent."
Assuming that damage from Francine doesn't tighten gasoline stocks, prices still could go lower.
"They assess after the storm passes," Steward said. "Apparently, about 38 or 39% of Gulf production was temporarily off line as the hurricane passed through. Now, the assessment stage happens, where they look for damage. Certainly, there's power outages that impact refineries, as well. It may be a short-lived impact of that hurricane."
With demand traditionally dropping in the fall months and the less expensive winter blend of gas entering the system, there's a good opportunity for even more savings in the coming weeks.