Connecticut’s gas prices have slowly dipped down after reaching historic highs following the decision from President Joe Biden to ban the import of Russian oil.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), drivers are paying $4.337 per gallon at the pump, compared to $4.465 one week ago.
Despite the slight relief, prices in the state still rank above the national average of $4.252 as prices defy normal seasonal trends.
“Usually this time of year, with warmer weather and longer days, we’d see an uptick in gasoline demand as more people hit the road,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “But we had a slight drop in demand last week, which may be due to higher pump prices. In our new survey of drivers, 59% said they would change their driving habits or lifestyle if the cost of gas hit $4 per gallon. And if gas were to reach $5, which it has in the western part of the country, three-quarters said they would need to adjust their lifestyle to offset the pump price.”
Amid the spike in the price of gas, elected leaders have worked to find alternative solutions to lower the price. According to a report from The Connecticut Star, Governor Ned Lamont (D) proposed a gas tax holiday until June 30. However, the rule likely cannot be extended due to guidance from accepting money through the American Rescue Plan.
“We have room to [provide relief] between now and June 30 without violating any of the rules, which is really important,” Lamont told reporters. “If you went out longer, A; you would impact our ARPA ruling in terms of what you can cut, and you’d really impact the solvency of the Special Transportation Fund.”
If fully enacted, the proposal would knock 25 cents per gallon off the price.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Connecticut Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
