The Tribune Review reported June 8 Western Pennsylvania drivers should not expect any relief from higher gasoline prices or from the newly-signed legislation to eliminate summer gasoline in the Pittsburgh Region.

Donald Bowers, Superior Petroleum Company, predicted gasoline prices could go above $4 a gallon by July 4.

Patrick Henderson, the Governor’s Energy Executive, was quoted as saying the process for eliminating the low-RVP gasoline requirement in Pittsburgh will not wrap up until at least next year.

The Tribune Review, quoting GasBuddy.com, said gasoline was already 17 cents higher than the national average in Pittsburgh and 25 cents a gallon higher than a year ago.

The article noted pipeline shortages are also causing price increases, adding an unexpected spike in demand for diesel fuel in Western Pennsylvania prompted by a harsh winter caused further price increases.

In a final point, the article said the gradual drop of the cap on the state Oil Franchise Tax that companies pay in Pennsylvania will add to prices that include some of the highest state taxes in the nation. According to the American Petroleum Institute, state and federal taxes in Pennsylvania total 60.2 cents per gallon, higher than the rates in all surrounding states except New York.

NewsClips:

Western PA Drives Could Expect $4 A Gallon Gasoline

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6/16/2014