It was just over a week ago that the average price of gas in Mississippi edged above $3 a gallon. Since then, the pain at the pumps has continued and we’re now sitting at $3.44 this morning. Mississippi’s prices have risen faster than several other states, mainly in the Midwest, where gas is 10 to 20 cents cheaper. Don Redman with AAA says the reason for that….
“It’s typically all related to refinery costs as well as taxes on fuel…”
Redman says the cost of refining the gas varies from one part of the country to another. He says while refineries serving the Midwest typically use West Texas Intermediate oil…
“Some of the fuel we’re getting in Mississippi is refined from Brent crude which is almost $10 more expensive per barrel right now…”
The increase this morning in the statewide average price in Mississippi is about three and a half cents. Redman says it’s likely to keep going up as long as oil supplies are disrupted by the war with Iran…
“I’m looking at future delivery for April. We could be looking at another 20-cent increase in gasoline prices between now and April based on the futures prices…”
Mississippi, which often has had the cheapest gas in the country in recent years, has now fallen out of the top ten, now ranking 11th in terms of the lowest pump prices. Within the state, the local area is doing better than most. Winston and Leake counties rank in the top five for lowest prices averaging 11 to 12 cents below the statewide average. The auto club says Neshoba County is averaging about four cents below while Attala County is above the statewide average by just over a penny.
