Worcester gas prices fall slightly as new COVID-19 variant hits
WORCESTER — Gas prices in the city fell 1.4 cents in the past week, averaging $3.40 per gallon for regular unleaded Monday.
Gas prices in the city are 3½ cents per gallon higher than a month ago, and $1.37 per gallon higher than a year ago.
Gas at the cheapest station in Worcester was priced $2.95 per gallon Monday, while the most expensive was $3.69 per gallon, a difference of 74 cents, according to GasBuddy.
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In Massachusetts, the average gas price up 0.6 cents from last week's $3.40 per gallon.
The lowest price in the state was $2.95, while the highest was $4.49, a difference of $1.54 per gallon.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline has fallen 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.37 per gallon Monday.
The national average is down 1.4 cents from a month ago and stands $1.26 per gallon higher than a year ago.
"Gas price declines are slowly picking up momentum. With oil's recent fall and the jury out on a new COVID variant, Omicron, we could be in store for lower prices based on many countries turning back to travel restrictions, limiting oil demand and potentially accelerating the drop in gas prices," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
De Haan added: "There remains a very high level of uncertainty ahead of us as OPEC has also delayed its meetings to await more market movements and information on Omicron. But so far, Americans can expect the new variant to push gas prices even lower."
Beyond the next few weeks, De Haan said it is impossible to predict where oil and gas prices will head, though turbulence is guaranteed."
In Boston, the average gas price Monday went down 1 cent to $3.42 per gallon from last week's $3.43.
Providence's average price went down 1.8 cents to $3.39 per gallon.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester gas prices fall to $3.40 per gallon as new COVID variant hits
