On Sept. 22, the Arizona diesel gas average hit a record high of $6.45 a gallon.
To help mitigate rising gas prices, the Environment Protection Agency issued an emergency fuel waiver, allowing the nation to transition to winter-grade fuel two weeks earlier, on Sept. 1.
AAA spokesman David Caltabiano explains why the switch to winter-blend fuel might not be cutting costs.
“During this time of year is when we start to see gas prices lower, when Arizona switches to the winter-blend but unfortunately it's just hard to say what is going to happen in the future with the conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Russia," Caltabiano said.
AAA notes that most refineries use the remainder of their summer supply before switching to winter-blends, meaning the potential effect it has on gas prices may be delayed.
Regular gas prices across the state sit around $4.81 a gallon, 30 cents higher than the national average. Diesel prices average $6.41 a gallon, 9 cents higher than the national average.
Since Arizona doesn't have oil refineries, it relies on imports from neighboring states, making fuel costs higher.
-
Gov. Katie Hobbs late Tuesday ordered state officials to temporarily stop enforcing laws that now bar farmers and ranchers from using cheaper "red dye diesel" in the trucks they use to deliver agricultural products. -
Images of Layne Lundeen having been duct taped into his seat went viral last month. -
Maricopa County is one big step closer to getting federal approval of rules incentivizing lower vehicle emissions. The county is seeking approval for two rules which provide credits when vehicle owners upgrade or replace high-emission vehicles. -
Runway 3/21 will be closed for six nights starting Oct. 18 and will be fully closed starting Oct. 24, before reopening at noon on Oct. 31. Crews will seal the pavement and scrap-off built up rubber from tires in the landing zones. -
Valley Metro is redesigning its bus network to include more frequent service, reduce duplicate routes and ensure easier transfers between buses and other forms of transit. The plan proposes changes to more than half of the 97 routes.
