[pic: goerie.com]

Giselle Liu

Business Editor

yzl5979@psu.edu

As the weather is not getting more ideal over time, the cost of a gallon of gasoline is imperceptibly moving near $3 in Erie, PA. 

According to Erie Times-News, the average cost of auto fuel in Erie on Tuesday was $2.855, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. By Tuesday night, though, posted prices were up to $2.959 at many filling stations around the Erie area.

A gallon of gas cost $2.666 in Erie at the start of the year, $2.756 on Jan. 19 and $2.834 a week ago, according to AAA records. Meadville’s average is up from $2.843 a week ago to $2.855 this week.

More than just in Erie, American Automobile Association (AAA) analysts point out that the average price of gas last week starting Feb 14th is $2.51 nationally. There are around 40 states that surpassed their averages when they were in 2020, while half of their averages are seeing exponential growth.

Patrick DeHaan, head of Petroleum analysis for Gasbuddy, said in an interview with Erie times-news that if prices in Erie top $3, it would be the first time since July 2019. “Restarting refineries will help,” DeHaan stated.

The reasons behind the increment in gas prices have been something that everyone is discussing. Some people blame higher gas prices on a new White House administration. Biden has been pushing energy policy for the development of new vehicles. Policies adopted by the Biden administration could help shape energy prices over the long haul, but that has nothing to do with what motorists are seeing at the pump now, DeHaan said. Regarding the prospect of it, DeHaan holds a negative opinion which is “Erie will probably be over $3 a gallon for the majority of the summer because we are recovering and Pennsylvania loves to fleece you at the pump.”

The average price in various areas of Pennsylvania as of Feb 21st, 2021, according to American Automobile Association:

Erie: $2.98

Allentown: $2.87

Altoona: $2.99

Gettysburg: $2.91

Harrisburg: $2.85

Johnstown: $2.97

Lancaster: $2.95

Mercer County: $2.93

Scranton: $2.85

York: $2.96