Gas Prices – Lower Costs at the Pump

About a year ago, the price for a barrel of oil dropped like a rock. Consumers salivated because they knew lower gas prices were on the horizon. In the 2015 cber.co Colorado Economic Forecast it was projected that consumers would save an average of one dollar a gallon from lower prices at the pump, or a total of $780.

The following calculations were made to determine the difference in cost to purchase gasoline for the periods July to June (2013-14 and 2014-15). The annual cost assumes that a person fills a car with 15 gallons of gas per week, or 780 gallons per year.

The costs and the savings for the United States are listed below.
2013-14
• 780 gallons, average price per gallon $3.51
• Total cost = $2,774.69
2014-15
• 780 gallons, average price per gallon $2.88
• Total cost = $2,281.63
• The 2014-15 costs were $493.05 less than 2013-14.

gas prices

The costs and the savings for Colorado are listed below.
2013-14
• 780 gallons, average price per gallon $3.41
• Total cost = $2,692.02
• The costs in Colorado were $82.67 less than the U.S.
2014-15
• 780 gallons, average price per gallon $2.80
• Total cost = $2,213.51
• The costs in Colorado were $68.12 less than the U.S.
• The 2014-15 costs were $478.51 less than 2013-14.

Check back in six months to see if gas prices remained low and how much lower they were than last year.

Source: EIA.gov – All Formulations and All Grades.

Lower Gasoline Prices Save $45 in 2014

In mid-April 2012 the price for a gallon of gasoline was just under $4.00. It slowly declined through mid 2014 to about $3.80 in the U.S. and Colorado. At that point it went into a freefall and closed the year at about $2.40 per gallon.

The Savings
• For 2014 the cost to purchase 15 gallons of gasoline per week in Colorado was $2,659 compared to $2,704 in 2013. In other words, the “savings” was $45 for the year.
• For 2014 the cost to purchase 15 gallons of gasoline per week in the U.S. was $2,696 compared to $2,788 in 2013. The savings was $92 for the year.
• For 2014, the cost to purchase 15 gallons of gasoline per week in Colorado was $37 less than the U.S.

The Good News – Lower gasoline prices may increase discretionary income for consumers. It may decrease the cost of other goods, if businesses pass along their savings for lower fuel costs. In Colorado, the thought of greater discretionary income may be nothing more than a dream for many as inflation, particularly for housing costs, has risen.

The Not So Good News – Typically, the impact of lower oil and gasoline prices on the state is negative. In other words, consumers will benefit; however, state coffers will not be as full because tax collections will be lower.

There is no free lunch!

gasoline prices

Lower Gasoline Prices Have Minimal Impact

Since the second quarter of 2012, the price of gasoline has slowly declined in the U.S. and Colorado.

At this point, the impact in total gasoline prices for the year is primarily psychological even though prices have dropped below $3.00 per gallon in some locations. The difference in total prices paid for 2014 compared to last year are negligible.

The Good News – At some point lower gas prices may increase discretionary income for consumers. At the moment that is not likely because inflation has driven other costs higher, especially housing costs.

The Not So Good News – Typically, the impact of lower oil and gasoline prices on the state is negative. In other words, consumers will benefit; however, state coffers will not be as full because tax collections will be lower.
gasoline prices

 

Relief at the Pump – Coloradans Saved $56 in 2013!

Back in the day… a Hershey’s candy bar cost a nickel and a person needed a dime to get a Coke from the vending machine. (Diet Coke didn’t exist). Nickels and dimes had value back in the day.

And…it cost $.21 for a gallon of gasoline. Not only that, an attendant filled up the car, checked the oil, and washed the windows. Back in the day a car was taken to a service station, not a gas station.

Given that perspective, the current relief at the pump is still painful.

As we ring out the old year and ring in the new it is now possible to compare the annual costs of gas for Colorado and the U.S. This calculation assumes that 15 gallons of gas were purchased each week at the average price for all blends. The comparison follows:

  • Colorado
    • The 2013 cost was $2,706.
    • The 2012 cost was $2,762.

It cost $56 less to purchase gas in Colorado during 2013 than 2012.

  • United States
    • The 2013 cost was $2,782.
    • The 2012 cost was $2,874.

It cost $92 less to purchase gas in the U.S. during 2013 than 2012.

In 2013 it cost $76 less to purchase gas in Colorado than the U.S.

How is that for relief at the pump?

If you are a Coloradan, how did you spend the $56 dollars you saved in 2013?
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