BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Gas prices in Massachusetts have gone up four cents since last week, according to AAA Northeast.
Last week, gas was $3.46 per gallon on average, and on Monday, it was $3.50. The national average was also $3.50.
In Massachusetts, Monday's gas price was two cents higher than a month ago and five cents lower than July 8, 2023.
AAA said that the rising prices are because of surging demand, higher oil costs, and concerns about Hurricane Beryl's potential impacts on refinery operations in Texas.
“Demand increasing and supply decreasing is a recipe for higher pump prices,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast, in a press release on Monday.
AAA explained that oil and gas markets are moving higher because of the busy summer travel season when many Americans hit the roads.
Demand reached the highest level so far this year during the week of June 23, with 9.4 million barrels a day according to the Energy Information Administration. At the same time, gas inventories fell by 2.2 million barrels.
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“Add to the mix not just the threat from Hurricane Beryl, but concerns about increased activity across the entire hurricane season, and it’s certainly not unusual to see an upward trend," said Young.
Texas is the top crude oil and gas processing state in the U.S., making up a third of the country's total refining capacity.
So, production disruptions like Beryl, the tropical storm moving toward Houston, can have adverse effects on gas prices nationwide.
Average gas price on July 8 by county
Berkshire County - $3.51
Suffolk County - $3.69
Middlesex County - $3.55
Essex County - $3.52
Norfolk County - $3.49
Bristol County - $3.39
Plymouth County - $3.43
Barnstable County - $3.56
Dukes County - $4.63
Nantucket County - $4.73
Worcester County - $3.49
Hampshire County - $3.42
Franklin County - $3.44
Hampden County - $3.40
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