ATLANTA — Georgia AAA says gas prices in Georgia have increased by 19 cents in a little over a week and 33 cents since June.
The average price for a gallon of regular is $3.56 cents.
Officials attribute the sudden rise in gas prices to two factors: crude oil prices jumped from $70 a barrel in June, to $85 in late July.
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That coupled with a heat-related decline in production at Gulf Coast refineries has reduced supply.
“Their production is slower so they are having to cut back quite a bit so that has impacted gas prices as well,” Georgia AAA Government and Public Relations Consultant Montrae Waiters said.
The spike is hitting the pockets of gas customers.
Some say they can’t afford to fill their tanks.
“I find a way to make it work. Someway, somehow. With five or ten dollars I put in my tank, or eleven. Between gas and store prices and every else, it’s a hassle, it really is.” driver Akara Adams said.
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AAA says the most expensive gas prices are in Atlanta ($3.59), Savannah ($3.56), and Augusta-Aiken ($3.53).
The least expensive are Albany ($#.47), Rome ($3.46), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.45).
Gas is still cheaper than it was this time last year.
Georgia AAA says it cost $4 less to fill a tank now than last summer.
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