Gas still going up

COEUR d'ALENE — The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Gem State jumped another 11 cents this week to $3.78 per gallon, which is 50 cents more than a month ago and 23 cents more than a year ago, AAA reported Monday. 

Meanwhile, the national average was at $3.60 per gallon, which was 6 cents more than a week ago, 20 cents more than a month ago, and the same price as a year ago.

Coeur d'Alene averaged $3.81 per gallon, with lows around $3.68 and highs around $3.89.

Idaho currently ranks 10th in the country for most expensive fuel behind California ($5.35), Hawaii ($4.72), Washington ($4.62), Nevada ($4.56), Oregon ($4.39), Alaska ($4.26), Arizona ($4.01), Illinois ($3.98) and Utah ($3.86).

“Regional refineries are hovering near 80% of production capacity for the third week in a row — about 9% below production in other parts of the country, and 7% below what the Rockies refineries were producing a year ago,” said Matt Conde, AAA Idaho public affairs director. “With the switch to summer-blend fuel, rising gasoline demand, and the higher cost of crude oil, everything points to more upward pressure on pump prices this week.”

According to the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand jumped by about 500,000 barrels to 9.2 million barrels/day this week, about the same as a year ago. Gasoline stocks also dropped by 4 million barrels this week.

Some Idaho gas prices on Monday: Boise, $3.80; Idaho Falls, $3.64; Lewiston, $3.84; and Twin Falls, $3.71.