Gas prices spike in wake of refinery fire, Iran supply cut
SEATTLE -- The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Washington is $3.64.
That's up 11 cents in a week, 17 cents in a month and 29 cents in a year. It's 7 cents higher than the national average.
"And I see another 20 or 30 cents on top of that easily by the end of the week," said petroleum industry analyst Bob van der Valk.
Some metro prices from Monday's AAA survey: Bellingham $3.77, Bremerton $3.69, Seattle-Bellevue-Everett $3.73, Tacoma $3.72, Olympia $3.74, Vancouver $3.70, Yakima $3.51, Tri-Cities $3.39, and Spokane $3.27.
"My checkbook gets lighter and lighter every time I fill my tank up," said driver Michael Minnig.
Van der Valk says Friday's fire at BP Cherry Point refinery in Ferndale is partly to blame for the fuel price surge. The refinery, third largest on the West Coast, supplies 20 percent of the fuel used by the region's drivers.
"You're getting a two edged sword thrown at you," said van der Valk.
The other cause, says van der Valk, is Iran, which cut oil exports to Britain and France in retaliation for sanctions against its nuclear program.
"The gas prices are horrible, and they prevent me from doing a lot of things that I want to do," said driver Heidi Henry.
And the prices may climb yet. Experts predict gas may reach $4.25 in April and $5 a gallon by Memorial Day.
"That sounds frightening," said Minnig.
The prices are prompting drivers to find alternatives.
"Spring's coming. Maybe we'll do some walking," said Henry.
"You know, I've got a motor bike in the garage. I'm hoping to take that more often to economize gas," Minnig said.
Some analysts predict higher prices for jet fuel in light of the refinery fire, and say it will be several weeks before the full impact is clear.
That's up 11 cents in a week, 17 cents in a month and 29 cents in a year. It's 7 cents higher than the national average.
"And I see another 20 or 30 cents on top of that easily by the end of the week," said petroleum industry analyst Bob van der Valk.
Some metro prices from Monday's AAA survey: Bellingham $3.77, Bremerton $3.69, Seattle-Bellevue-Everett $3.73, Tacoma $3.72, Olympia $3.74, Vancouver $3.70, Yakima $3.51, Tri-Cities $3.39, and Spokane $3.27.
"My checkbook gets lighter and lighter every time I fill my tank up," said driver Michael Minnig.
Van der Valk says Friday's fire at BP Cherry Point refinery in Ferndale is partly to blame for the fuel price surge. The refinery, third largest on the West Coast, supplies 20 percent of the fuel used by the region's drivers.
"You're getting a two edged sword thrown at you," said van der Valk.
The other cause, says van der Valk, is Iran, which cut oil exports to Britain and France in retaliation for sanctions against its nuclear program.
"The gas prices are horrible, and they prevent me from doing a lot of things that I want to do," said driver Heidi Henry.
And the prices may climb yet. Experts predict gas may reach $4.25 in April and $5 a gallon by Memorial Day.
"That sounds frightening," said Minnig.
The prices are prompting drivers to find alternatives.
"Spring's coming. Maybe we'll do some walking," said Henry.
"You know, I've got a motor bike in the garage. I'm hoping to take that more often to economize gas," Minnig said.
Some analysts predict higher prices for jet fuel in light of the refinery fire, and say it will be several weeks before the full impact is clear.
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