Relief? Phoenix gas prices decline

PHOENIX - We're starting to see some relief at Valley gas stations.

In the Phoenix Metro area, the average price for a gallon of gas has fallen 2.1 cents in the past week. Sunday, the average price was $3.89/gallon.

That's bucking a national trend. Across the US, the average price for a gallon of gas has increased 1.4 cents per gallon to $3.91/gallon in one week.

According to PhoenixGasPrices.com, fuel prices are 28 cents higher in the Valley than they were this time last year. Since March, Phoenix area gas prices have risen by 0.9 cents per gallon.

Nationally, the cost of a gallon of gas has increased by 16.8 cents since March and is currently 17.2 higher than this time last year.

"Gasoline prices in the hardest hit areas have finally shown signs of relief, with gasoline prices falling now in Chicago as they have for a few weeks in California," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "We're beginning to see refinery utilization rise, indicating refineries are coming out of maintenance and boosting production. If we continue to see utilization rise at domestic refineries, we may see an earlier peak than we have in prior years, " DeHaan said.

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