The price of gasoline is up three cents in Buffalo and Rochester this week as wildfires in Canada and supply disruptions in other countries is increasing the cost of crude oil.
The price of a gallon of unleaded is now $2.39 in Buffalo, $2.38 in Rochester and $2.38 statewide. Nationally, a gallon of fuel averages $2.28, up six cents.
Gasoline demand regularly increases leading into the summer driving season, and this year has been no exception. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. gasoline demand hit its highest mark of the year in recent weeks at 9.66 million barrels per day, which was the highest number since August and 4.4 percent higher than the same period last year.
While domestic gasoline inventories reportedly decreased by about one million barrels, supplies are still some 14 million barrels higher than a year ago. In response to this seasonal increase in demand, refineries nationwide are ramping up production, although some facilities, particularly in the Great Lakes region, have been impacted by the fires in Alberta, Canada.
