Gas prices hit a record high

Supply issues, weather cause sticker shock at the pump

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Prices at the pump continue to rise throughout Florida, with a record-high reached recently

According to AAA-The Auto Club, which tracks gas prices all year, average Florida gas prices reached a new 2023 high of $3 84 per gallon, eclipsing the mark of $3 72 set back in April

Last week marked the fourth consecutive week prices have increased at the pump, and the average price of $3 84 per g a l l o n i s 5 7 c e n t s m o r e t h a n w h a t Sunshine State drivers paid on July 4

“Florida gas prices are now the highest since August of last year,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins, in a release “These surging prices have been driven by a couple of factors Extreme temperatures along the gulf coast has kept refineries from operating at full capacity Globally, oil prices are significantly higher than a month ago, as OPEC production cuts cause global oil supplies to tighten ”

On a somewhat positive note, AAA officials said Florida gas prices are starting to inch lower a few cents per gallon this week. AAA officials stated about half the price per gallon of gasoline is influenced by oil prices Last month, when prices were a bit lower, crude oil was trading just below $70 a barrel Now, AAA officials

See GAS PRICES, page 12