New York gas prices reach average of $5 with summer on the horizon
An average gallon of gas in New York State has reached $5 a gallon and with the summertime on the horizon, drivers will certainly be paying more than they ever have topping off at the pumps - even with a gas tax holiday through year's end.
"It's really a small dent in what the people in the North Country are paying," said New York Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R-117).
"We have to drive, I mean there is no mass transportation (in the North Country). Most of the time you can't even car-pool because everyone is going in different directions. With the sales tax being capped, it helps, but it's not going to take care of what the federal government and the Biden administration is doing and hurting the people in the North Country."
Last year's average gallon of gas in New York was $3.11. “Based on the demand we’re seeing, it seems high prices have not really deterred drivers,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson.
“If prices stay at or above $5, we may see people start to change their daily driving habits or lifestyle, but it hasn’t happened yet.”
Today’s national average is $5.01 - an all-time high never seen since AAA began collecting pricing data in 2000.
"What we decided to do is to just give a little more relief," said Governor Hochul during a news conference earlier this spring, defending the state's initiative to suspend its gas tax through December 31, 2022.
"We thought: The price is going to go up and it goes up every year at the beginning of summer. You have a different blend in the summertime and it costs more."
According to the AAA, the cost of a barrel of oil is over $120, nearly double last August’s price, as increased oil demand outpaces the tight global supply.
Meanwhile, AAA officials say domestic gasoline demand remains robust as the summer driving season ramps up. As a result, the national average for a gallon of gas surged and is 15 cents more than a week ago, 58 cents more than a month ago, and $1.94 more than a year ago.
Be sure to listen to our remarks shared from New York Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush and Governor Kathy Hochul:
Images courtesy via the AAA.
