Tri-Cities gas prices are on the rise. Here’s what it’ll cost to fill up this weekend
Gas prices are on the move, thanks to recent production cutbacks and new costs associated with Washington’s move to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Tri-City motorists may find it makes sense to fill up closer to home, where the average cost of gas is a bit lower than the state average.
On Friday, the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded stood at $4.46 for Washington and $4.21 in the Tri-Cities, according to AAA Gas Prices.
Benton County had a 3 cent edge over Franklin, $4.20 versus $4.23. The national average was $3.66 per gallon.
While prices are about 20 cents lower than a year ago, they’ve been marching up in recent weeks.
Cutbacks, carbon auction
AAA said the recent announcement by OPEC that it would cut production by more than a million barrels a day surprised the market and sent crude above $80 a barrel, translating into rising gas prices across the nation.
“(T)he cost of oil accounts for more than 50% of what we pay at the pump, so drivers may not catch a break at the pump any time soon,” said Andrew Gross, spokesperson for AAA.
The Washington Policy Center asserts that the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, designed to reduce carbon emissions, is contributing to higher gas prices relative to other West Coast states. In early April, it estimated Washington gas prices rose 39 cents after a February auction of carbon dioxide allowances, where the average price was $48.50 per metric tons.
Prior to the auction, the cost was unknown. Afterward, the policy center said, retailers are factoring it into the price of gas. A bill that would have banned listing the charge on billing statements did not make it out of the Senate.
68 cents in taxes
State and federal taxes account for nearly 68 cents per gallon, according to the Washington Department of Revenue.
Washington is a Top 10 market for gas prices, a club that includes California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Illinois, Alaska, Utah and Washington D.C.
GasBuddy.com, which offers real time price monitoring, reported two Tri-City spots with gas priced under $4 a gallon.
Conoco Hanford 200E in Richland and Metro Food Mart, 528 S. Ely St., Kennewick, were charging $3.99 during the most recent check. Kennewick Costco was charging $4.06 in the most recent update.
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