Gainesville once again has the second highest gas prices in the state, according to AAA, and statewide prices were seemingly unaffected by Florence.
Prices at the pump in Gainesville inched lower over the weekend, the agency reports, but Sunday's state average was the same as last week, $2.72.
"Both the Colonial and Plantation pipelines - which are the primary suppliers of fuel to the lower Atlantic region - were reportedly unaffected by the storm and are running at full capacity," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. "This should help efforts to resupply areas affected by the storm. It's also an indicator that Georgia should continue to remain well supplied with gasoline. Refineries are now preparing to switch to winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce and normally leads to lower prices at the pump."
Fuel tracking website GasBuddy.com reported a statewide average of $2.67 a gallon yesterday, compared with the national average, that has increased 0.5 cents per gallon versus last week to $2.84.
"With several areas of tropical weather moving away from the U.S. comes some breathing room for energy markets, with oil prices under pressure as the risk premium subsides, setting the stage for some relief at the gas pump as we progress through the week," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
GasBuddy.com agreed with AAA's assessment of Florence on the gasoline forecast. "Despite the tremendous blow and flooding of the Carolinas, Florence's impact on oil delivery and refinery operations was next to nothing. Florence may make an impact on local pipelines in Florence's path with power loss and flooding possible issues, but problems will be worked around as life pauses in these areas and where we see considerable demand destruction taking place as floods keep motorists from moving. In addition, this week marks the first full week of cheaper winter gasoline across most of the country as EPA regulations see their seasonal ease. This, coupled with lower demand in the weeks ahead, will push retail gasoline prices lower."
While Gainesville came in second for the highest prices in the state at $2.76, Atlanta had the highest prices at the pump at $2.79. Savannah followed both cities with a price matching the state average, $2.72.
In Catoosa-Dade-Walker, prices were the lowest at $2.58. Warner Robins and Augusta-Aiken had the next lowest prices, $2.60 and $2.61, respectively.
