For the first time in over four years, the national average price for a gallon of gas is below $3.00 per gallon. According to AAA, the average on Monday was $2.95, which is almost five cents lower compared to a week ago. Meanwhile, New York State saw a smaller decrease, dropping a little over a cent to $3.12. And in Chautauqua County, the average price at the pump increased by almost two cents to $3.31. One year ago, the national and statewide averages were $3.02 and $3.15, respectively.
The last time the national average reached an even $3.00 or below was in May 2021. Crude oil prices remain on the lower side trading at $59-63 per barrel as of Monday morning. AAA says sluggish gas demand and cheaper-to-produce winter blend gasoline
are also contributing to the drop at the pump. In the absence of an unexpected disruption in production or transportation, consumers will likely see gas prices continue to fall in the coming weeks…