Hollister
– Local gas prices made a big jump in December.
A survey of 10 Hollister gas stations on Friday found pump
prices for regular unleaded ranging from $2.46 to $2.62 per gallon,
with an average of around $2.55 per gallon. That’s an eight-cent
increase from the average found in a similar local survey less than
three weeks ago.
Hollister – Local gas prices made a big jump in December.
A survey of 10 Hollister gas stations on Friday found pump prices for regular unleaded ranging from $2.46 to $2.62 per gallon, with an average of around $2.55 per gallon. That’s an eight-cent increase from the average found in a similar local survey less than three weeks ago.
Hollister resident Ginger LeBarre said she hasn’t purchased gas since right before her Christmas holidays. Now that she’s gone back to work, she said, “I can’t believe how much it’s gone up.”
The local increases mirror state and national gas price hikes.
According to data from the American Automobile Association, the state’s average gas price is $2.65 per gallon, up from $2.51 a month ago and $2.29 in December 2005. The nationwide average is $2.33 per gallon; it was $2.18 in December 2005.
AAA of Northern California spokesman Sean Comey said the increase is hard to explain, since oil prices have been holding relatively steady.
“Ultimately, (the gas companies) are in the business to make a profit,” Comey said. “If they can charge higher prices and people still buy gas, that’s what they’re going to do.”
That’s why it’s important for people to reduce their gas consumption as much as possible, Comey said.
“It helps keeps prices stable … and as low as possible,” he said.
What about the future? Comey said there’s a chance prices won’t spike anytime soon.
“Right now, if all the current conditions persist – and that’s a big if – it’s reasonable to expect a certain amount of stability in the short term,” he said.
However, Comey added that consumers should expect an increase as companies switch from using winter gas to summer gas. He also said that any change to the factors affecting gas prices would likely push prices up.
“The only thing that would dramatically bring down prices is a significant slowdown in the economy,” Comey said.
LeBarre, who drives a PT Cruiser, said she’s definitely feeling the effect of the price hikes.
“My income keeps me watching every penny,” she said.
Luckily, LeBarre lives and works in Hollister, so she doesn’t have a big commute, but she said she’ll have to seriously cut back on travel. That includes visits to her mother, who lives nearly 200 miles southeast of Hollister in Porterville.
“This is going to have a big effect,” she said.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or
ah*@fr***********.com
.
