44°
HARRISON, N.Y. While gas prices typically drop in the weeks following Labor Day, Harrison residents may have noticed theres been no relief at the pump recently.
Though the summer driving season is over, New Yorkers continue to pay among the most money for gas, averaging $4.14 per gallon tied with Connecticut for the second highest in the nation and trailing only California, which pays $4.32 per gallon.
AAA New York spokesperson Robert Sinclair Jr. said, however, that the situation is going to change.
Relief should be in sight. It might take weeks, but it should be in sight, he said. Were out of the summer driving season, and we dont have the same demand. That said, were still vulnerable because were in hurricane season until Nov. 30, and whatever goes on overseas can have an effect on us.
He also said stations have switched to the cheaper winter blend gas, which will help hold prices down.
Sinclair said the East and West coasts are experiencing inventory problems, which are leading to higher prices.
The rest of the country is seeing prices drop, but were experiencing spikes on both coasts, he said. The prices flattened for a while, but then they jumped up because of refinery and inventory issues.
Nationally, prices have settled at $3.78 per gallon, down about 4 cents from a month ago. However, prices in New York have risen 15 cents as the state deals with the lack of inventory.
For our region, we just dont have the inventory to deal with the demand, Sinclair said. We just have to deal with surges in the market when they happen.
According to NewYorkGasPrices.com, the cheapest gas in Harrison can be found at Shell for $4.29 a gallon. Throughout Westchester County, the cheapest gas can be found at Getty on White Plains Road, for $3.99 a gallon, though premium will cost $4.31 a gallon.
Judith Clark, a librarian at the Harrison Public Library who lives in New Rochelle, is grateful that she has only a five-mile commute.
I do know people several years ago who lived in Westchester County, but they would go over to New Jersey to buy gas because it was less money, she said. But with me, my commute is so short.
Clark added that she is not happy with the gas prices, but feels worse for those in California, and said the issue could affect who wins the presidential election.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Harrison and receive free news updates.
