AAA says gas prices hold steady, even with return of state tax on gas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 January 2023 at 11:35 am

The new year brought a return of the state sales and motor fuel taxes on gasoline, which had providing a reduction of at least 16 cents per gallon since June 1.

Some counties also reduced their local sales tax on gas, although Orleans County did not.

So far the return of the state tax has not resulted in higher gas prices, AAA reported this morning.

Statewide the average gas price for regular unleaded is at $3.42, which is up a penny since last Monday. A year ago, the average price in the state was at $3.49. The New York average for diesel is $5.33, down 3 cents from last Monday and up from $3.72 one year ago.

The national price is at $3.23 a gallon, which is up 13 cents since last Monday, AAA said.

The average price in Orleans County is at $3.584 today, compared to $3.595 a week ago.

Here are the average prices among Western New York counties:

Orleans, $3.584
Genesee, $3.306
Wyoming, $3.477
Livingston, $3.470
Monroe, $3.465
Niagara, $3.356
Erie, $3.465
Chautauqua, $3.581
Cattaraugus, $3.523
Allegany, $3.543

The highest price is in Hamilton County at $3.814 with the lowest price in Suffolk County at $3.208.

“New York’s average for a gallon of regular remains lower than it was a year ago,” AAA said in a statement today. “The question is for how long? Drivers across the state are bracing for the impact of the conclusion of the gas tax suspension, which came to an end on January 1. Prices are expected to rise as the state and counties resume the full collection of gas taxes. The good news, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand remains low while stocks continue to rise.”