Third Straight Monthly Decline in Gas Prices for Northern California
13 December 2000
Third Straight Monthly Decline in Gas Prices for Northern California, AAA Monthly Survey Shows; Cities Report Up to 22-Cent Drop, But Prices 40 Cents Higher Than Last Year
SAN FRANCISCO--Dec. 12, 2000--Northern California motorists received an early holiday present of lower gas prices, with a third straight monthly decrease throughout the region, AAA reported today.The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded self-serve gas in Northern California is $1.84, down 8 cents from November and down 14 cents from the record high set in September, according to AAA's monthly gas survey. The nine-county Bay Area average is $1.90, down five cents from last month, and down 18 cents from September.
"AAA is happy to report that Santa arrived early for California motorists," said AAA spokeswoman, Bronwyn Hogan, "But to keep the Grinch of higher gas prices away, make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition, price-shop the pumps, and consider taking public transit, especially during the holiday season."
Marysville, once claiming the fourth highest average in California last September ($2.02), now has the lowest gas in Northern California, at $1.68, down 16 cents from last month. Yreka, at $1.83, had a record 22-cent drop in the last 30 days and gas there is 35 cents less than September. San Francisco reports the highest gas price in the state at $1.99, six cents lower than November, followed by San Mateo, at $1.98, down 6 cents, and Lake Tahoe, $1.95, down 8 cents.
California has the second most expensive gas in the country at $1.74, down 8 cents from November, up 40 cents from a year ago. Hawaii claims the highest gas at $2.01; and Nevada is third with $1.73. Southern California reports an average of $1.70, with Los Angeles at $1.64. The priciest gas in the southern part of the state is Bishop, at $1.96; the best place to fill your tank this month in California is La Habra at $1.52.
Nationally, AAA reports the average price of gas at $1.496 per gallon, down 5.2 cents in the last month and 19 cents below last December. The states with the lowest gas in America are Kansas, ($1.35) Oklahoma, ($1.34) and Missouri, reporting $1.32 per gallon.
"Crude oil prices have been puffed up too high recently because of market psychology, so this decline is both welcome and expected," said Alan Kovski, Managing Editor, Energy Business Watch. "Gas prices should continue their moderate decline through February and early spring, but we are not expecting OPEC to decrease production or attempt to lower crude oil prices in the near future. Additionally, a cold winter can put pressure on heating oil prices, which can affect the price of crude oil, and ultimately, the price for gasoline."
AAA Monthly Gas Price Averages, December 12, 2000
NOR. CALIFORNIA 1.84 down 8 cents
BAY AREA 1.90 down 5 cents
CHICO 1.68 down 17 cents
CONCORD 1.83 down 5 cents
EUREKA 1.93 down 17 cents
FREMONT 1.87 down 5 cents
FRESNO 1.73 down 13 cents
LAKE TAHOE 1.95 down 8 cents
MARYSVILLE 1.68 down 16 cents
MODESTO 1.78 down 6 cents
MONTEREY 1.79 down 6 cents
OAKLAND 1.93 down 2 cents
PLEASANTON 1.91 down 4 cents
REDDING 1.72 down 14 cents
SACRAMENTO 1.80 down 7 cents
SALINAS 1.75 down 10 cents
SAN FRANCISCO 1.99 down 6 cents
SAN JOSE 1.89 down 5 cents
SAN MATEO 1.98 down 6 cents
SAN RAFAEL 1.88 down 5 cents
SANTA CRUZ 1.87 down 5 cents
SANTA ROSA 1.85 down 4 cents
STOCKTON 1.81 down 7 cents
TRACY 1.76 down 7 cents
UKIAH 1.89 down 9 cents
VALLEJO 1.84 down 6 cents
YREKA 1.83 down 22 cents
NEVADA 1.75 down 7 cents
CARSON CITY 1.62 down 22 cents
ELKO 1.77 up 1 cent
LAS VEGAS 1.75 down 2 cents
RENO 1.68 down 19 cents
UTAH 1.53 down 10 cents
MOAB 1.70 down 9 cents
OGDEN 1.45 down 34 cents
OREM 1.51 down 9 cents
PROVO 1.55 down 4 cents
SALT LAKE CITY 1.48 down 13 cents
ST. GEORGE 1.58 down 8 cents
SOUTHERN CALIF. 1.70 down 7 cents
BAKERSFIELD 1.70 down 14 cents
LOS ANGELES 1.64 down 7 cents
SANTA BARBARA 1.90 down 4 cents
CALIFORNIA AVG. 1.74 down 8 cents
NATIONAL AVG. 1.496 down 5 cents
Light Crude Oil $29.69 down $5.16
(NYMEX; (12:16 a.m. per barrel
12/12/00)
