Reporter:
THE AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS IN NEW YORK IS $2.25. IF YOU ARE IN SYRACUSE THE AVERAGE IS $2.19 PER GALLON.
GAS HAS BEEN STEADY OR SHOWN GLIMPSES OF DECLINE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
ELIZABETH CAREY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR TRIPLE A EXPLAINS WHY PRICES HAVE DROPPED.
Elizabeth Carey:
THE PRICE OF OIL HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON HOW MUCH WE PAY WHEN WE GO TO THE PUMPS TO FILL UP OUR GAS TANKS. SO, OIL PRICES WENT WAY DOWN WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, SO THE PANDEMIC IS DEFINITELY HAVING AN IMPACT ON GAS PRICES THIS YEAR.
Reporter:
DIFFERENT SEASONS ALSO IMPACTS FUEL PRICES.
Elizabeth Carey:
WINTER BLENDED FUEL IS ALWAYS CHEAPER. SO GAS PRICES ARE TYPICALLY CHEAPER IN THE WINTER THAN THEY ARE IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE ITS CHEAPER TO MAKE THIS WINTER BLEND.
Reporter:
WE ALL ENJOY A GOOD DEAL, SO WITH GAS PRICES AT A LOW COST, BUSINESS IS BOOMING FOR THIS LOCAL SPEEDWAY.
Mack Johnston:
THE MARGIN FOR GAS WENT UP, SO THE PRICES WERE SO LOW. SO AS LOW AS THE PRICES WERE. WE WERE MAKING MORE MONEY OFF THE GAS AT THE TIME.
Reporter:
SPEEDWAY MANAGER MACK JOHNSTON, SAYS HE DOESN’T SEE PRICES THIS GOOD GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON.
Mack Johnston:
I COULD SEE IT GOING AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR OR SO IF WERE REALLY LISTENING TO THE SCIENTISTS. I THINK THE SCIENTISTS ARE THE MOST RELIABLE.
Reporter:
WITH WINTER AROUND THE COUNTER MAKE SURE YOU’RE PREPARING YOUR VECHICLE.
Elizabeth Carey:
KEEP YOUR GAS TANK ABOVE HALF A TANK, DONT LET IT GO BELOW HALF A TANK BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO END UP IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU’RE BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SNOW STORM AND YOU’RE OUT OF GAS.
Reporter:
TROY ROSE…NCC NEWS
With cheap gas prices circulating through New York State, individuals are utilizing every chance they have to fill up their tank.
Locals in Syracuse have seen a huge decline in prices, with numbers as low as $1.96 at the pump.
Mack Johnston, a manager at a local Speedway, says he thinks we could see prices this good over the next year or more.
“If we are really listening to the scientist, I think they are the most reliable,” said Johnston. “…they understand what’s going on, the nature of the virus…and the fact that we’re probably going to see a second wave.”
Johnston, along with Elizabeth Carey, who is the director of public relations for AAA, says the impact of the pandemic has had a direct effect on oil prices.
“Normally gas prices fluctuate based on oil prices,” said Carey. “Oil prices went way down when the pandemic hit, so the pandemic is definitely having an impact on gas prices this year.”
As the seasons begin to change, that also becomes a direct cause of low prices due to the change of fuel being produced.
“As the weather gets colder, refineries begin to make winter blended fuel,” said Carey. “…winter blend fuel is always cheaper, so gas prices are typically cheaper in the winter than they are in the summer.”
Syracuse is also known for its brutal winters, so it’s advised to start preparing your vehicles now before it’s too cold.
“Always remember to keep your gas tank above half a tank,” said Carey. “…and you want to make sure there is enough gas to properly run the vehicle in the cold temperature.”
