LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A recent rise in prices at the gas pump has frustrated many drivers in Las Vegas. 8 News Now spoke to an expert Thursday about the reasons behind the change.
“It’s really bad you know,” driver Raul Davalos expressed. “For the commute.”
The pain at the pump is a problem that has been top of mind in Southern Nevada, drivers told 8 News Now they are doing what they can to deal with it.
“I make sure I take advantage of all the rewards programs,” driver Julie Ostrovsky said. “The grocery store discounts.”
As of Thursday, the average in Las Vegas and Nevada sat at $3.87 per gallon, a two-cent jump from last week and 20 cents more than last month.
8 News Now spoke with John Treanor of AAA Nevada about the sudden spike.
“There are a couple of reasons gas prices are going up,” Treanor explained. “Across the country and here in Nevada.”
Treanor told 8 News Now the time of year is a factor, as gas stations transition from winter blend fuel to a slightly higher-priced summer blend.
However, he said this change is also connected to our neighbors in California.
“We get most of our gas in Southern Nevada from California,” Treanor explained. “So as California prices go up, Nevada follows.”
The Bay Area saw a massive fire at the prominent Martinez Refinery Co. in early February.
A new law also went into effect mid-January, which would allow the state of California to require refineries to keep a minimum level of fuel available at all times, reducing the chance of severe shortages that would impact consumers.
However, keeping that inventory out of the mix means it’s not available for shipment to Nevada and Arizona, a potential disruption to prices in both states.
Treanor said it has thrown a wrench in the state’s typical supply and demand.
“There’s this real squeeze on supply in California, and demand because the weather is nice,” Treanor told 8 News Now. “Demand is high, so when you have higher demand and lower supply, you have increased prices.”
Those getting behind the wheel told 8 News Now this is all a tough pill to swallow and they will do their best to counteract the change.
“It’s like a big old domino effect,” Davalos said. “At the end of the day.”
“I need gas, I have to get to work,” Ostrovsky concluded. “I have to carpool with the kids.
Las Vegas is still far from its highest gas price on record; $5.76 per gallon in 2022.
Treanor said it’s hard to predict exactly where prices go from here, but other experts have noted a chance current prices could peak in April.
