Oregon Gas Prices Jump Four Cents

The Beaver state remains the second highest in the US.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Gas prices in Oregon are continuing their upward trend.

According to AAA the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Oregon jumped 4-cents in the past week to $2.64.

In Portland-Vancouver, the price rose 5-cents to $2.62.

In Salem, the price is up 4-cents to $2.62.

The highest prices in the state remain in Medford-Ashland where the average price Tuesday was $2.70.

Oregon still has the nations second highest gas prices, trailing only Hawaii at $2.83.

The lowest nationwide price is still in Oklahoma at $2.15.

Oregon AAA spokesman Elliott Eki says OPEC meets Thursday, and the session is being described as crucial to the cartel's effort to hold oil prices above the $60 mark.

Oil ministers are expected to decide whether to cut daily oil production further as a strategy to maintain current per barrel prices.

Nonetheless, U.S. oil price stability and the positive balance between consumer demand and national gasoline inventories strongly indicate that fuel costs should remain fairly flat during the remainder of the year Eki said.

How that plays out in West Coast states remains to be seen.

One year ago, the national average gasoline price was about 12-cents per gallon lower than the current average price.

But, Oregon's current average price is almost 45 cents higher than in December 2005.

Salem-News.com Fuel Watch Report: Average prices for a gallon of regular unleaded as of Tuesday, December 12th. Salem-Keizer: $2.62 Albany: $2.64 Bend: $2.70 Canby: $2.57 Corvallis: $2.62 Dallas: $2.63 Independence/Monmouth: $2.63 Lincoln City: $2.56 McMinnville: $2.59 Newberg: $2.57 Newport: $2.66 Silverton/Mt. Angel: $2.65 Stayton: $2.64 Woodburn: $2.63 (Source: AAA Fuel Price Finder)