Gas Prices See Slight Drop In Northwest

GAS PRICES  AAA  GENERAL NEWS 

By Andrew Theen

Portland, OR  July 22, 2008 11:22 a.m.

Motorists in Oregon and Washington should see a slight dip in gas prices at the pump.  As Andrew Theen reports, gas prices are down almost a nickel in the past week.

According to AAA officials, some gas stations in Sandy are selling fuel at $3.99 a gallon.  Just a year ago the average price of gas in Oregon was more than a dollar below that figure.

Oregon's statewide average is down a nickel from a week ago to $4.22.  That's still well above the national average.

Marie Dodds is a spokeswoman for AAA Oregon and Idaho.  She said one reason for the price break is the recent drop in oil prices.

The price per barrel is down over $20 in a week and a half.  Dodds said this could be short-lived.

Marie Dodds: "As we all know over the past weeks and months, gas and oil prices can turn around with a snap of the finger."

Dodds said one reason to worry is the start of hurricane season in the southeast.  She said if oil refineries  are hit by hurricanes that could send prices skyrocketing again.

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© 2008 OPB