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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. – Traditionally, gas prices around the country rise during the summer, peak in August and begin to drop after the busy Labor Day weekend. This year, Peekskill drivers may not see price relief at the pumps for some time.
With Hurricane Isaac knocking out power to countless refineries along the Gulf Coast, and an unsettled situation overseas, gas prices in the state have risen an average of 13 cents in the past week, to $4.13, the third-highest in the continental United States behind Connecticut ($4.16) and California ($4.15). The national average sits at $3.87 as of Thursday, more than 20 cents higher than a year ago.
AAA Spokesperson Robert Sinclair Jr. said that immediate relief should not be expected, and that things can change by the day, depending on various factors.
“This is really a day-to-day progression. Things happen overseas we cannot control and prices can change significantly from one day to the next,” he said. “People were popping champagne after we hit an April peak and prices started to drop, and things literally changed the next day.”
Sinclair said Isaac caused a slight bump in prices, but a more threatening issue is the upheaval in the Middle East, which may ultimately threaten the nation’s supply of crude oil.
“We’re seeing some of the effects of the global market,” he added. “The continuing tensions with Iran may ultimately take away as much as 20 percent of the world’s crude oil.”
As of Friday afternoon, prices for regular unleaded gasoline in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area varied greatly, with some stations also charging extra for those who pay by credit or debit card:
Sunoco: $4.19, No. Division Street
Shell: $4.18, No. Division Street
Coastal: $4.13, Washington St.
Citco: $4.19, Route 6 (Cortlandt)
BP: 4.15, Route 6 (Cortlandt)
Mobil: $4.15 cash/$4.23 credit, Route 6 (Cortlandt)
Stations will switch from the more expensive summer blend of gasoline to a cheaper winter blend next week, but Sinclair said that motorists shouldn’t expect a sudden drop in prices.
“When they switch over next week, perhaps things will get better, but there are so many more factors than just that,” he said. “There’s so much going on, but in the short term, prices are more likely to continue to rise.”
Comments (1)
It seems the owners of the gas stations in Peekskill rip off the motorists of this town. Always the first to put their prices up and last to drop them when prices come down.
Go down the road to the Shell in Garrison at the intersection of 9 and 9D (i think) and gas is 23 cents per gallon cheaper. Yes it is in Putnam County but the very short drive is worthwhile.