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AAA expects gas prices in Tampa Bay will continue to fall

 
Gas prices for regular gas continue to decline. In Tampa Bay, the current average unleaded gas is down 7 cents from a week ago at $2.62 a gallon. [Times file photo]
Gas prices for regular gas continue to decline. In Tampa Bay, the current average unleaded gas is down 7 cents from a week ago at $2.62 a gallon. [Times file photo]
Published Sept. 26, 2017

Ticking slowly and steadily, regular gas prices have receded for the last 10 consecutive days. The average unleaded gas price in Florida is $2.67 this morning, a nickel cheaper than a week ago. In Tampa Bay, the current average unleaded gas has dropped 7 cents from a week ago to $2.62. The national average for regular gas is $2.57.

Despite the drop, Florida drivers are still handing over 52 cents more per gallon than this time last year, illustrating the lagging effects of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey to the petroleum industry. The automotive club AAA predicts the gas prices in the southeastern U.S. will fall 5 to 10 cents this week.

"If it weren't for the recent hurricanes, gas prices would be about 25 cents lower," said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA. "Since gas price decline is much slower than they rise, it could take a few weeks before they reach equilibrium."