Hollister
– The American Automobile Association’s recent report on gas
prices shows that rates seem to be stabilizing.
Hollister – The American Automobile Association’s recent report on gas prices shows that rates seem to be stabilizing.
Yesterday, the prices at 11 Hollister gas stations ranged from $2.39 to $2.57 per gallon, with an average of $2.47. The statewide average gas price is $2.51 per gallon of regular unleaded, a 3-cent increase from November, while the Bay Area average is $2.57 per gallon.
Joey, a local resident who drives a Chevy Silverado, said that although prices have increased, he’s glad they’re lower than the record highs achieved earlier this year.
“If it goes up, well, we need gas, so we’re going to pay for it,” he said. “With that and the mortgage on the house, it definitely hits the pocketbook pretty hard.”
Joey acknowledged that his Silverado eats up a lot of gas, but he puts up with it because the truck makes him feel safe. One thing that keeps costs down, Joey said, is the fact that he only needs to commute to his Los Gatos job once a week.
As he finished filling up his tank at Safeway, Joey noted that he’d just paid $50 for 20 gallons of gas – a substantial amount of money, but much less than the $80 he paid for a tank earlier this year.
When asked what caused gas prices to stabilize below their recent highs, AAA of Northern California spokesman Sean Comey said the “thin margin between supply and demand” is a major factor.
“When consumers make an effort to conserve the amount of fuel they use, that can stabilize or bring down the price of gas,” Comey said. Fuel prices are also affected by world events, he acknowledged, such as last year’s hurricanes or geopolitical conflicts, but he added, “It’s nice that see that if you’re making an effort, you can have a positive impact.”
Comey also predicted that statewide prices, which are up by an average 22 cents per gallon from the same time last year, will not have a substantial effect on people’s holiday travel plans – at most, they will take trips that are briefer and to closer locations.
“If they went to the Grand Canyon last year, they might only go to Lake Tahoe this year,” he said.
According to the AAA’s report, the national average for regular unleaded gas is $2.29 per gallon. The most expensive gas is in Wailuku, Hawaii, which averages $3.08 per gallon. The cheapest gas is in Springfield, Missouri, where the average price is $2.10 per gallon.
Comey warned that it’s hard to predict if prices will start increasing again.
“Some of these forces are subject to change with little or no warning,” he said.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
