State Pump Prices Post Fourth Consecutive Weekly Drop

Phoenix, Ariz., July 22, 2009. Across the state and country, motorists continue to pay less to fill their tanks as the price of fuel falls for the fourth consecutive week. Statewide, motorists are currently paying an average of $2.495 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, a drop of nearly four cents since last week. Today’s nationwide average is $2.461 per gallon, a drop of a little more than four cents from last week. 

This week, the price of crude oil hovered around the mid $60 per barrel range after the Department of Energy revealed an increase in fuel supplies. The agency’s weekly report underscores the continued trend of motorists continuing to reduce or maintain their current fuel consumption habits, despite pump prices selling at nearly 40 percent below year ago levels.

Also this week, AAA called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject a petition that would increase the permissible content of ethanol blended in gasoline to 15 percent, or E15, from the currently allowed 10 percent. Ethanol rates of 10 percent have been tested to work within the design parameters of modern engines and engine systems. However, that is not the case for E15.

“AAA supports the integration of alternative fuels into the nation’s fuel supply,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “However, we believe that additional data is needed on the potential impact that E15 gasoline may have on motor vehicles. Until this research occurs and proves that E15 will not damage engine systems and component parts, compromise vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, or increase vehicle emissions, we are opposed to arbitrarily increasing the ethanol content in gasoline.”

In Arizona, Tucson drivers are paying the least for fuel in the state at $2.302 per gallon, while Flagstaff motorists pay the most to fill their tanks at $2.675 per gallon. Nationwide, Missouri motorists are paying the nation’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.226, while California motorists pay the most for fuel in the lower 48 states with an average of $2.848 per gallon.

Motorists can visit www.AAAAZ.com/news/fuelnews.htm for fuel price information and gas saving tips or go to www.AAA.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in their neighborhood. They can also visit AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com, which can help drivers plan out their fuel costs so they can budget their travel expenses in advance.

*The BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is the nationwide average price of E-85 adjusted to reflect the lower energy content as expressed in British Thermal Units - and hence miles per gallon - available in a gallon of E-85 as compared to the same volume of conventional gasoline. The BTU-adjusted price calculated by OPIS and AAA is not an actual retail average price paid by consumers. It is calculated and displayed as part of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report because according to the Energy Information Administration E-85 delivers approximately 25 percent fewer BTUs by volume than conventional gasoline. Because "flexible fuel" vehicles can operate on conventional fuel and E-85, the BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is essential to understanding the cost implications of each fuel choice for consumers.

AAA Arizona’s Weekly Fuel Gauge includes data from gasoline stations in every Arizona community. However, only major metropolitan areas are shown in the table above.  Local prices in some communities might be higher or lower than the averages shown here.