Gas prices rise slightly in Georgia

TAMPA, Fla.- The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia is now $2.54, up two cents from a week ago. Enbridge Energy Partners LP shut down a major pipeline last week in Illinois after reports of an oil leak. The Illinois pipeline is the primary supplier of western Canadian crude oil to the U.S. and can transfer more than 670,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada a day and supplies multiple refineries in the area.

The price of crude oil moved higher after investors learned of the closed pipeline, causing concern over limited supplies in the region and falling U.S. inventories. Crude oil settled Friday at $76.45 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange; 1.85 more than last week.

"As with any increase in the price of crude oil, retail gas prices will follow suit and move slightly higher this week," said Jessica Brady, manager, AAA Public Relations. "Whether or not prices continue to increase depends on how soon workers can fix the leak in the Illinois pipeline."

The national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.69 per gallon, 1 cent more than last week. Florida's average price of $2.65 is 3 cents more than last week. Georgia's average price of $2.56 and Tennessee's average price of $2.51 both reflect a 2 cent increase from last week, respectively.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Current Week Ago Month Ago Year Ago
National: $2.684 $2.678 $2.779 $2.586
Florida: $2.626 $2.622 $2.732 $2.557
Georgia: $2.547 $2.522 $2.652 $2.411
Tennessee: $2.496 $2.502 $2.614 $2.412

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