Gas prices expected to drop about 20 cents in next week
Ann Arbor-area residents feeling pain at the pump from rising gasoline prices should get a little relief soon, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The BP station at Main and William streets in Ann Arbor was selling gasoline for $4.09 per gallon over the weekend.
AnnArbor.com photo
An Enbridge Energy Partners pipeline that transports crude oil from Superior, Wis., to Chicago-area refineries ruptured July 27, spraying about 50,400 gallons of crude into a southern Wisconsin field. That has disrupted the supply of gasoline.
Several stations in the Ann Arbor area were selling gas for more than $4 per gallon Monday, information on the website GasBuddy.com indicated.
The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Michigan is $3.99, AAA Michigan said. That’s an increase of about 39 cents in the past week.
Experts said in Michigan should drop to near $3.80 per gallon in the next week or so, the Free Press reported.
Read the article in the Detroit Free Press.
Cindy Heflin is associate news director at AnnArbor.com. Contact her at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2572 or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Detached Observer
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
Another Enbridge oil spill means we all pay 20 cents extra for gas. Gotta love those market forces. What are the chances that Enbridge shareholders will take a hit?
63Townie
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
It would be great if gas prices fell as fast as they went up.
shepard145
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.
This coverage is so different from when Bush was in office, it makes me sick. It never occurs to any AA dot com democrat party "reporters" that their dear leader obama is RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGH GAS PRICES even when writing that a phone call from the democrat will "allow" private businesses to open a pipeline that will cause prices to drop! The other reasons prices are high are also obama blunders - he has devalued the US Dollar and oil is a global commodity. Hello stupid! There is no such thing as "energy independence" for a commodity sold on the open market. The more worthless the dollar becomes - see quantitative easing - the more expensive gas will be at the pump. Just as importantly, he has done everything possible to increase regulation and kill oil drilling across the country, which keeps supply low. Finally, his total failure to engage in Syeria has caused the speculators to drive the price up as well. ….and all this ties into his green energy disaster – if you can't afford gas, you can't drive your car and the environment wins!! WORST PRESIDENT IN A CENTURY yet AA dot com working full time to re-elect this hack.
Ann English
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
Itchy, The mainstream press is made up of situation ethicists. They think that whatever furthers their socialist goals for America, turning us into a Third World nation, is the right thing to do. That means keeping their viewers uninformed about how freedom and personal responsibility for oneself is what made America great, not proud, arrogant government. Entrepreneurs do not become successful because of government aid, they become successful because government keeps out of their way. Crony capitalism is a successful company getting into bed with government, passing regulations that stop other businesses from competing against that company, in effect pulling the success ladder away from possible competitors. The press lusts for power over us, just as the current administration does. If this sounds like nothing you've ever heard, it's because you don't rely on CONSERVATIVE news sources, like Human Events (a weekly newspaper) or conservative talk radio. AM 1600 has conservative shows on as early as 6:00 am.
Itchy
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
It is true that the press seems to be in favor of our president. I wonder why?
shepard145
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
...read it again. ...and again. Obama is the worst president in a century but the press refuses to report his incompetence.
63Townie
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
Wow, last time I checked Obama was the President of the US, not of BP, Shell, Exxon and their ilk.
Homeland Conspiracy
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
Do they jack the price up to pay for the repair of the pipeline? If so they make MILLIONS of dollars to fix the problem. What if the fix only cost hundred thousand dollars...do we all get a check for the over payment? I know if I can make extra millions every time something breaks I'll make sure things break A LOT!!! & often!
Barzoom
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:35 a.m.
Raise the price 50 cents per gallon. Then, drop it 20 cents. Everyone feels so much better.
Ignatz
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Oops, you caught on. Watch out for the black helicopters.
LXIX
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
Conspiracy. oil magnates have their paid blog-buddies scan the news/comments for grips and then price-rig local stations accordingly. Like Enbridge should compensate Michigan and Wisconsin residents for oil spills (gasoline Up ten cents). It is hot outside because Russia is melting the icecaps to gain access to the last untapped reserves (Up 15 cents). Ann Arbor grows so many lilypads it is now a carbon-negative town (up 5 cents). County voters reject windmillage (down 10 cents). The true price per barrel of oil is between $45-$55 (down $1 for 10 days then up $2). Detroit hearts big oil (down 20 cents next week).
WalkingJoe
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 12:05 a.m.
I have a question or two. Why isn't this price fixing or price gouging? Isn't this the same as when there is a crisis and unscrupulous people take advantage of the situation? just because oil is supposedly in short demand temporarily why do we have to pay extra for gas? Just a couple of idle thoughts.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
Why is gas 20 - 30 cents more per gallon in Ann Arbor than in Saline?
Itchy
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
We are better than Saline, thus our standard is higher = more money or cost.
Robert Campbell
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
Phoenix Az. Pays $3.18 gal.
Dog Guy
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
The Obama czars will get gasoline down to 50 cents per gallon by the November elections.
jns131
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
They always do when election nears. Gets the voters to think twice Sorry but I am not falling for this one. Tired of hi taxes and gas.
a2citizen
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Well, it went up 40 cents last week.
Greggy_D
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
What you need to investigate AA.com, is why Sams Club at Mich Ave/Carpenter has had constant pricing between $3.61-3.63 during this past week's 40 cent run-up. How could they keep their prices so low if the "norm" was hovering around 4 bucks at every single other station? I honestly believe there is some type of collusion going on between all the stations and Sams Club wants no part of it.
MRunner73
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Costco was still at $3.61 Friday afternoon when the 30 cent spike occurred overnight at all of the "name brand" stations . It would appear Costco and Sam's are not dictated by the Wholesalers for Shell, BP, Clark and the other name brands out there. I was surprised. They must have their own wholesaler but I would be curious to know more.
xmo
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
Must be President Obama and all of his "RICH Green Energy" buddies trying to make Fossil Fuel less attractive!
Modern_Atheist
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
hopefully you don't really believe the POTUS has total control over gas prices...
lefty48197
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:19 a.m.
Yeah right let's just ignore the fact that Enbridge already polluted the Kazoo River and that the adults are trying to prevent another spill.
Dog Guy
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.
Since Mendeleev's 1875 proofs that petroleum oil and gas are abiogenic, only conmen and their ignorant parrots have called them "fossil fuels." Suckers can be charged a higher price for something thought to be of limited supply.
Goober
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
I'll believe it when it happens Still can't figure out why all gas stations on each corner of roads all have the same prices. They all go up at the same nano second.
Itchy
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
Bologna Mrunner73! Are you saying that a wholesaler delivering to three stations, for example - all about 2 miles apart is charging the same rate, yet these same stations charge different prices - all based on what their close neighbor is charging? I might agree with the wholesaler rate, but not what the stations decide to charge. Price fixing at its finest, in fact so good that it evades our government cops and criminal action.
63Townie
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
On the NE side of town, the BP station on Plymouth and 23 generally has the highest prices in Washtenaw county because there is an Avis rental location at Guy Hollerin's. They are certainly gouging the people returning rental cars like the stations near Metro Airport. Speedway, Shell and the next BP further westbound see the high prices and follow suit. Oh, and they also gouge what used to be Pfizer and people going to UM along Plymouth Rd.
lefty48197
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:25 a.m.
A couple of times each day, the gas station managers check the prices of a few select stations and report the prices to the regional management who then decide what to set the prices at.
a2citizen
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Goober, I've been told by an owner that the oil company (BP, Shell,...) actually dictates the minimum price a local franchise can sell.
Tom Todd
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
MR 73 keep at it,someone has to lead the protest!
MRunner73
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
I am no conspiracy person but the simulatious and uniform price hike are due to the Wholesalers. They supply all local gas stations. Those folks either must comply or lose their franchise or deliveries of gas. The Wholesalers play hardball. They operate under secrecy. Seems the MI State Atty Gen Office is powerless with these folks. Personally, I think these people should be put in jail for antitrust and monopoly violation laws. I have emailed the MI State Atty Gen on this but, of course, no response.