STATEWIDE -- The national average for a gallon of gas is now sitting at $3.53, but prices in both Washington and Oregon are sitting much higher. Oregon's average is $4.25 per gallon. It's higher in Washington state, at $4.49 per gallon.
Rod Smith is the Vice President of R.H. Smith Distributing, located in Grandview, Washington. Smith said there are a number of reasons prices are so high.
“Uncertainty of the impact of Ukraine’s targeting of Russia’s oil infrastructure likely spiked oil prices recently,” Smith said.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand dipped slightly from 8.81 to 8.72 million b/d last week.
Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 1.3 million bbl to 232.1 million bbl.
Lower demand would typically contribute to pushing pump prices lower or slowing increases, but rising oil prices have kept them elevated instead.
Today’s national average of $3.53 is 24 cents more than a month ago and 10 cents more than a year ago.
In 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Climate Commitment Act. The CCA created a market-based cap-and-invest program to require the state's largest polluters to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
The CCA is being put to work across Washington to benefit families, schools, workers and more.
However, Smith thinks that is another reason we are paying more and he believes if the State reverses that law, prices could drop.
Spring and Summer is also a reason for the uptick.
"There is a local reason as well, there is no barge traffic coming up from the Columbia River and into Pasco", said Smith.
The barge is set to open this coming weekend and prices could come down a bit.
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