The average gas price in Michigan dropped 12 cents on Sunday, July 22, from a week ago to $3.15 a gallon, falling back almost to the national average.
“Michigan drivers are seeing lower prices at the pump,” said Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for AAA. “If demand drops, alongside increasing stocks, gas prices may continue to fall.”
For now, Michigan motorists are paying a penny more than the national average, which remained mostly flat from a week ago, but down from $3.50 a year ago. To fill a 15-gallon tank, that works out to be about $47.
Throughout Michigan, the most expensive price averages, according to AAA, are in Ann Arbor, $3.22 a gallon; metro Detroit, $3.20; and Jackson, $3.14; the least in Marquette, $3.02; Benton Harbor, $3.06, and Flint, $3.07.
Just how low gas prices are, though, is difficult to determine.
Last week, in one of its latest White House statements that Trump’s energy policy should be credited with “plummeting prices,” the administration claimed that “prices at the pump keep dropping” and that it is “making life more affordable for families.”
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which also tracks gas prices, however, commented on social media on top of a GOP post and video, claiming, “In just 6 months, President Trump has defeated the economic disaster created by Biden.”
“The national average 6 months ago was $3.117/gal. Today it is $3.144/gal.,” he pointed out, presumably referring to the GOP claims. “So if you’re comparing to 6 months ago, you’re wrong on gas prices.”
De Haan, however, also said Monday, July 21, that “a few states — including Florida, Nebraska and Indiana” posted “double-digit increases per gallon,” and “these areas are prone to a phenomenon known as price cycling, where prices can spike and plunge every couple of weeks even if wholesale costs remain mostly unchanged.”
Experts largely agree the gasoline price has been driven by low oil prices, which are trading below $70 a barrel, but have been subject to some market fluctuations.
What’s more, with predictions for a hurricane season with “above normal” activity, which climate scientists attribute to human-caused climate change, there are concerns that storms could impact the gasoline markets.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan gas prices drop 12 cents, nearing national average
Reporting by Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
