LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 17th time in 18 days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $2.969.
The average price rose 14 consecutive days, dropped one-tenth of a cent Tuesday, then resumed increasing Wednesday. It has risen 9.4 cents over the past 18 days, including a half-cent on both Wednesday and Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price is 2.9 cents more than a week ago and 14.7 cents higher than a month ago but 93.8 cents less than one year ago. It has decreased 64.6 cents since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price rose for the 29th time in 31 days today, increasing three-tenths of a cent to $2.934. It has risen 16.4 cents over the past 31 days, including a half-cent on Thursday. It rose for 20 consecutive days, was unchanged May 26, rose each of the next five days, was unchanged Monday and resumed rising the next day.
The Orange County average price is 3.2 cents more than one week ago and 16.4 cents higher than one month ago but 94.3 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped 61.1 cents since the start of the year.
Wednesday's “inventory report from the Energy Information Administration shows increased stockpiles of gasoline supply nationwide, but there was a reduction in California inventory, according to the state energy commission, so we expect that prices will continue to gradually increase as long as demand increases,'' said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
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