Gas prices down 3 cents in the past week in Orleans

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Orleans County is down 3 cents in the past week, from $4.38 to $4.35, according to AAA. That price is the highest in upstate New York, and only topped by the $4.377 in Westchester, $4.381 in Rockland and $4.444 in Manhattan.

In New York State, the average price is down 4 cents to $4.18 and nationally the price is down 3 cents to $4.08.

The average price per gallon for regular unleaded gas in Western New York includes Orleans at $4.35, Niagara at $4.231, Monroe at $4.269, Genesee at $4.226, Wyoming at $4.245, Livingston at $4.305, Chautauqua at $4.151, Cattaraugus at $4.135, Allegany at $4.261, and Erie at $4.229.

AAA said the oil supply is increasing with domestic crude stocks up by 2.5 million barrels, followed by announcements that 180 million barrels would be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next six months and the International Energy Agency would release 120 million barrels from its emergency reserves.

Consumers also should see more relief at the pumps with President Biden saying his administration will temporarily allow E15 gasoline, which uses a 15% ethanol blend during the warm-weather months. The higher-ethanol fuel typically sells for 5 to 10 cents less per gallon than regular gas, AAA said.