Pump prices continued their new year climb this week as Arizona drivers saw a 4.1 cent increase in the average price of fuel to $3.291 per gallon.
Though crude prices have jumped because of political tensions, demand for fuel in the U.S. has dropped for 10 consecutive months, according to AAA Arizona.
"While weak demand is tempering crude's recent run up, global tensions currently have a louder voice," said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. "Should these tensions continue as seasonal demand picks up in the spring and summer, it's possible that we could see pump prices come close to or even exceed our all-time high. However, it is unlikely that it would stay at that price point for an extended period of time."
East Valley drivers paid an average of $3.280 per gallon Thursday, more than 5 cents higher than last week. Tucson and Yuma hold the low and high state fuel averages at $3.150 and $3.384 per gallon, respectively.
Utah and California hold the low and high price extremes for the lower 48 states at $2.920 and $3.703 per gallon, respectively.
k33j88 posted at 5:50 am on Sun, Jan 15, 2012.
Political tensions? Is that both nationally and globally? Since when is a communications director for AAA any type of respectful/informative source of relavent factors affecting the price at the pump? The Tribune needs to focus on sources closer to the issues at hand. The petroleum institute may be a good start. This isn't a well-researched article.