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VIRGINIA MOTORISTS EXPERIENCING STICKER SHOCK AT THE PUMP

Gilmore Gas

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (March 1, 2021) — Gas prices continued to rise in Virginia with the current average more than 30 cents higher than last month and 41-cent increase over last year. The Commonwealth hasn’t seen prices at the pump this high since April of 2019.

 

The latest price jumps are a direct result of February’s winter storm that took 26 U.S. refineries offline and pushed refinery utilization from an average of about 83% down to an atypical low of 68%, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In its latest data, EIA also

reported demand at 7.2 million b/d. Both utilization and demand rates have not been reported this low since last May.

 

“Barring hurricane season, March may bring the most expensive pump prices of 2021,” said Holly Dalby, director of public affairs for AAA Tidewater Virginia. “While the month is roaring in like a lion, by the end of it we could see some relief at the pump as refineries resume normal operations, especially if crude oil prices show signs of stability.”

 

As of March 1, 2021

Virginia

Hampton Roads

Richmond

Current

$2.62

$2.59

$2.64

Week Ago

$2.54

$2.55

$2.56

Month Ago

$2.32

$2.27

$2.35

Year Ago

$2.21

$2.17

$2.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $2.03 to settle at $61.50. Although a stronger dollar and market concerns regarding interest rates pushed crude prices lower to end the week, prices increased over $2 earlier in the week—up to $63.22—due to growing market optimism that as vaccines become more available, crude demand will recover. Crude prices rose mid-week despite the EIA’s latest report revealing that total domestic crude inventories increased by 1.3 million bbl last week, bringing the supply level to 463 million bbl. For this week, crude prices could rise if EIA’s next weekly report shows a decrease in total stocks.

 

As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 350,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia

CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Tidewater Automobile Association of Virginia, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
AAA Tidewater Virginia is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the Tidewater Virginia region (All Hampton Roads cities, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg; Virginia's Eastern Shore; as well as the following counties: Greensville, Surry, Brunswick, Isle of Wight, Gloucester, Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond County, Southampton, Sussex, Mecklenburg, James City County, York, Lunenburg, Essex, King & Queen, Mathews, Northumberland, and Westmoreland).