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Idaho gas prices top national average

| March 12, 2021 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — Idaho gas prices are higher than the national average as of Thursday.

According to AAA, the state’s average price for regular is $2.84, while the current U.S. average is $2.83. In the last 10 days, Gem State prices have skyrocketed by 24 cents, while the national average increased by 10 cents in the same time period.

Some Kootenai County stations are charging more than $2.60 for a gallon of regular unleaded. The average price in Coeur d'Alene was $2.66, according to AAA. Stations on Northwest Boulevard were charging in the range of $2.50.

Idaho prices dipped below the national average on Dec. 22 last year, where they remained until today.

"While prices across the country have been steadily climbing due to rising crude oil prices, market speculation about the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and refinery issues during recent winter storms, Gem State drivers could at least take comfort in the fact that they were paying less than many of their U.S. counterparts. That is no longer the case," according to an AAA press release.

“At one point in time, Idaho ranked 36th in the country for most expensive fuel, which was a welcome break from our usual position in the 7th to 9th-place range. Today, we’re all the way back up to 15th,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde.

Crude oil prices are rising in part due to ongoing production cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. At the end of last week, the organization made a surprise announcement to add just 170,000 barrels of crude oil per day even though market observers expected an increase of 1.5 million barrels.

Summer-blend gasoline is more expensive to produce because it requires additional processes to prevent it from evaporating at high temperatures.

Some, however, believe the rising prices are more political, and point out they began climbing in January, pretty much as soon as former President Donald Trump left office and President Joe Biden moved into the White House.

One letter writer questioned why a recent Press on gas prices "does not mention Biden’s decisions, made by executive order, to halt fracking and the Keystone project effect on gas, propane and oil price increases."

Construction on the Keystone XL oil pipeline was halted when Joe Biden revoked its permit on his first day in office.

The 1,700-mile pipeline was planned to carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, the Associated Press reported.

Keystone XL President Richard Prior said the move eliminated over 1,000 jobs as pipeline construction came to an end.

Since, then, gas prices have risen steadily.

On Jan. 11, the U.S. average for a gallon of regular was $2.32 per gallon, while Idaho drivers were paying $2.22 per gallon.

Other comments posted on Press stories on gas prices include:

•I’m sure you all realize Biden supports electric vehicles. High gas prices will push new car buyers in that direction. All this is planned. They don’t act randomly with these types of decisions.

•hey man I don’t like Biden, but no president can do anything to affect the short term price of oil. Gasoline day to to day prices, just like any other product, is determined by supply and demand. The dems blamed bush for gas prices rising in his term. (Moronic) it’s simple economics at the end of the day. You’d think Americans of all people would understand that

• The price we are paying at the fuel station now is not based on what they payed for what they currently have but what they will have to pay to replace it. Based on that, the current administration has had a direct effect on fuel prices by their decision to shut down the keystone pipeline. That decision will cause manufacturing prices to go up which leads to higher prices.

•Just another gift from our current administration.

AAA’s previous research shows that most people won’t consider changing their driving behavior until prices reach $3.50 per gallon, Conde said.

“While we could hit the $3 mark this spring, we don’t expect that to deter many people who have made the decision to take a road trip," he said.

Here’s a selection of Idaho gas prices as Thursday.

Boise - $2.95; Franklin - $2.88; Idaho Falls - $2.72; Lewiston - $2.71; Pocatello - $2.83; Twin Falls - $2.81