Gas prices up about 20 cents in past month

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2021 at 8:03 am

In WNY, only Chautauqua County tops high prices in Orleans

Gas prices are an average price of $2.56 a gallon in the state today, which is up from $2.37 a month ago, AAA Western and Central New York reported this morning.

The price is up about 5 cents from a week ago. Compared to a year ago, when the price was an average of $2.635 a gallon, the price is down about 7 cents.

The average price per gallon in Orleans County at $2.515 is among the highest in Western New York. Only Chautauqua County, at $2.544 is higher. Gas is more expensive in northern New York. The average price in Essex County, for example, is at $2.740.

Here are the average prices in WNY counties:

Allegany, $2.452
Cattaraugus, $2.439
Chautauqua, $2.544
Erie, $2.482
Genesee, $2.438
Livingston, $2.497
Monroe, $2.497
Niagara, $2.463
Orleans, $2.515
Wyoming, $2.489

AAA said this morning reported that the price of crude increased by more than $57, which is the highest settlement price of the year. Crude prices rose last week after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to collectively reduce their crude production by 7.2 million barrels per day.

The group decided to hold the cuts steady and expects output to remain low this year, since demand is forecasted to be lower than expected throughout 2021 due to ongoing crude demand concerns as the pandemic continues to keep travel restrictions in place, AAA said.