Worries In Syria Push Gas Prices UP

Sep 03, 2013 at 09:28 am by bryan


Gas prices jumped 13-cents in Murfreesboro over the past week, as a result of tensions in Syria. Although gas prices are more than last week, overall they still remain about 20 to 25 cents less than last year's averages for the Labor Day weekend.

Last year, motorists paid an average of $3.83 nationwide for a gallon of regular gasoline throughout the Labor Day holiday. This year, a gallon of gas averaged $3.59 during the holiday weekend. Although concerns about the U.S. performing airstrikes against Syria caused oil prices to reach upwards of $112 a barrel last week, prices soon decreased after a lack of global support for attacks on the country. 

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"Since U.S. threats against Syria have eased and there are no major storms on the horizon, motorists should start to see gas prices retreat," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Now begins the U.S. refinery switch from the summer to winter blend fuel, which typically means lower gas prices are on the way."  

The cost for a barrel of oil closed last Friday at $107.65 on the NYMEX — $1.23 more than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.59, five cents more than last week. Florida's average of $3.56 increased six cents from last week, while Georgia's average of $3.52 rose six cents from last week. Tennessee's average of $3.39 also increased six cents from last week.

In the 'Boro, petro was not as big of a bargain as it had been in earlier weeks.  The going discount rate for a gallon of regular is $3.38. That's a penny less than the state average, and up 13-cents from the going rate a week earlier. 

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