Fri, Jan 09 2009
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Published October 09, 2008 10:39 am - Several years ago, a cost of $2.83 for a gallon of unleaded fuel would have seemed impossibly high. But after prices at the pumps recently reached nearly $4 per gallon, the drop in price has consumers filling up and crossing their fingers it stays this way. Drivers breathe sigh of relief at the pump By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Several years ago, a cost of $2.83 for a gallon of unleaded fuel would have seemed impossibly high.
But after prices at the pumps recently reached nearly $4 per gallon, the drop in price has consumers filling up and crossing their fingers it stays this way. This week in Cherokee County, fuel prices ranged between $2.83 and $2.99 for regular unleaded – a welcome sign in this tumultuous economy. According to the Oklahoma AAA, fuel prices in the state have dropped about 64 cents a gallon on average since Sept. 16, making local fuel prices the lowest in the U.S. “I’m not seeing people buy more gas, but they’re absolutely happy to be paying $2.89 instead of whatever they paid a few months ago. Was it $3.69? $3.79? Something like that,” said one local convenience store employee. “So yes, definitely. There’s not as much complaining when they come in to pay. It’s more like, ‘it’s about time.’” Will prices stay below $3 for very long? She doesn’t seem to think so, and neither do many drivers. “I would guess gas prices will go up at least in time for the holidays, in November and December,” she said. Trae Jones topped off his 13-gallon tank at $2.85 a gallon Wednesday afternoon – about $35 for a tank that wasn’t quite empty. “It was costing 50 bucks to fill it up this summer,” said Jones. “I’m saving, what, $15? I guess that’s pretty good. I’m happy for now.” Like many other drivers, however, he’s not optimistic the fuel prices are here to stay. “I think if people start driving more because gas [prices] went down, demand will go up and so will the price,” he said. “[But] we hope it stays down.” Sandra Norwiski expects the prices won’t stay low, but also won’t complain about the current state of fuel. “I like it,” she said. “You get more and have a few extra dollars for something else like dinner.” Chuck Mai, a spokesman for AAA, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that falling prices for crude oil on the futures market is the cause of the decrease at the pump. Because of lower demand for gasoline, a strong dollar, and good gas investments, crude oil has dropped over $55 per barrel since July, Mai says. 
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