 
Gas Prices Lowest They've Been in Years It couldn't come at a better time considering the tightening of consumer pocketbooks, but gasoline prices are the lowest they have been for years. Lower demand for fuel as a result of the slowdown in the national economy has resulted in a sharp drop in what drivers pay for fuel. On the Coast regular gasoline is being sold around $2.00 or less. The lower price even includes the Coast's 5-cent Seawall Tax that is collected by the county to maintain the beach and its seawall.
Even with the new lower prices, consumers are wary that the low prices will not last long. As a result of the slowing economy, consumers are driving less and still seeking to cut expenses, especially as the nation and area comes closer to the Christmas shopping season. Also contributing to the decline in prices is the falling price of crude oil, now at the lowest level in 16 months. The lower crude oil price, along with a strengthening dollar on world markets, has been the primary driver behind prices at the pump.
|
The
current prices are nearly half of what Coast drivers were paying just this
past July. Drivers were paying an average of $4.02 for regular the week of
July 16, according to AAA, which was also the highest price for fuel on
record for the area.