Fuel Articles & Information
- Gasoline Prices and Geography: A set of maps provided by NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) showing differences in state gasoline taxes, cleaner-burning fuel requirements, and gasoline refining and distribution systems. These maps (adobe acrobat required) depict several of the underlying causes of seasonal gasoline price spikes and price disparities across the United States.
Regional Gasoline Refining & Distribution, U.S. Gasoline Refining & Distribution, and Cleaner Burning Fuel requirements - Fuel Price Primer: This information outlines the factors that influence the retail price of gasoline.
- National Retail Average Gasoline Price Graph: 2010-2011:
- National Retail Average Gasoline Price Graph: 2008-2011:
- Crude Oil and Gasoline Prices: August 2011-Present: While WTI crude oil prices have increased substantially over the last several months, the price of gasoline at the pump has decreased. WTI prices have increased more than $20 per barrel from $75.67 to begin October to $96.92 today, as the gap between WTI and Brent crude (the traditional global benchmark product) has closed dramatically. During this same period, gasoline demand has remained sluggish due to high prices and a weak economy, leading to a lower price at the pump, albeit at a level nearly 50 cents higher than this time last year. The chart included below illustrates this recent run up in WTI prices, the closing of the spread between WTI and Brent, and the decline of gasoline prices at the pump.
