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Gas Prices Drop as Winter Approaches Gas Prices Drop as Winter Approaches

Falling gas prices are helping one local religious community in multiple ways.

By Richard Maj

Richard Maj: Gas prices are dropping across the country, and for one religious community in Central New York, it’s making a big impact. Church Administrator and Minister at the Greater Evangelical Church Robert Jackson says his parishioners give rides to other parishioners using their own gas and that the drop in prices will allow them to afford more.

Robert Jackson: Oh, I’m only gonna put fifteen in and now they can be like, oh now I can put the 25 in, you know, something like that. I’m sure it helps in such a way.

RM: Jackson says it will also allow him to put more money towards other causes when he does his budgeting, like trips to their sister church in Elmira. He says that with the weather here in Central New York, travel is so important.
As you can see by the snow falling behind me, winter is on its way. Triple A says this is a good thing for drivers as trips to the gas station are about to become more affordable.

Valerie Puma: During the summer is when we’re seeing our peak prices. There’s a lot of variables that go into that. Not only are more people traveling, so the demand is increased, but also we are using the summer blend of fuel during the warmer months and that is more expensive to make.

RM: The demand for gas, Jackson understands well. He shares a car with his son, who works farther away. He says the drop in gas prices will not only help his parishioners, but will help in his personal life as well.

RJ: There are some days where I have to take him to work, so it’s double the trip then cause I have to drive out there, drive back, then drive back out there, then drive back.

RM: Triple A says it’s time to get ready and fuel up for the winter. Richard Maj, NCC News.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — As winter approaches, gas prices are continuing to drop. National, New York and Syracuse gas price averages are down a few cents as of Nov. 1, according to Valerie Puma, communications specialist for AAA Western and Central New York.

For the Greater Evangelical Church, it makes a big impact. Robert Jackson, church administrator and minister, said his parishioners give rides to other parishioners who don’t have the means to get to or back home from meetings. They use their own gas, so Jackson said the price drop will allow them to afford more. They also travel together, taking trips to their sister church in Elmira.

“We had to do that two-hour drive there and two-hour drive back,” Jackson said. “I’m sure we probably drunk quite a bit of gas going and coming.”

Jackson said the drop in gas prices will also help his personal life.  He shares a car with his son who works far away. He said he’s had to drive his son to work and it wasted a lot of gas.

“There are some days where I have to take him to work, so it’s double the trip then cause I have to drive out there, drive back, then drive back out there, then drive back,” Jackson said.

Puma said the drop in gas prices is normal, and it has two main causes. One of them is that the prices tend to vary depending on the season. She said the change in weather caused changes in the fuel blend.  Prices increased during the summer due to the summer blend of fuel that was more expensive to make. This is because it was made to not evaporate in hotter temperatures. The other reason is the demand due to more people traveling.

Puma also said that as the winter approaches, it’s important that people are prepared for winter travel. Having your emergency kit, having the correct tires on your car and making sure those tires are at the right pressure level are all on her list.

“We want to make sure that wherever you are you have the supplies that you need,” Puma said. “Don’t be afraid to gas up. We never want you to go below that quarter tank. We want to make sure you have plenty of fuel whenever you are getting out on the road. “

 

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