Palm Beach County gas prices move slightly higher

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline moved a few pennies higher over the past week nationally and in Florida, while Palm Beach County prices barely moved.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Monday that regular averaged $3.132 a gallon nationally, up from $3.101 a week ago and $3.089 a month ago.

In Florida regular averaged $3.098 a gallon, up from $3.079 a week ago and $3.087 a month ago.

But AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report for Monday put the Palm Beach County average at $3.204 a gallon, up from $3.202 a week ago and $3.197 a gallon a month ago.

AAA expects little change in prices over the coming week. The crisis in Egypt, initially viewed as a potential threat to global oil supplies has had little effect so far. Domestic stockpiles of oil and gas continue to increase as fuel demands decrease.

“Oil has traded right around $90 a barrel since the start of the new year and it looks like it may stay at this price throughout February, assuming the situation in Egypt does not worsen and hinder transports on the Suez Canal,” said Jessica Brady of AAA Auto Club South. “The economic recovery has not taken off as many investors expected and instead, fuel demand has decreased. Retail gas prices will likely remain relatively unchanged this week.”