Gas price up in Nevada; $2 a gallon in the fall?

Average retail gasoline prices in Nevada increased 1.6 cents per gallon the past week, according to the latest survey available online.

Prices averaged $3.26 per gallon at the pump in a statewide survey completed Sunday and reported Monday by GasBuddy.com, a website that tracks pump prices at 1,130 outlets in Nevada.

The statewide average compared with a national cost of $2.76 per gallon on average, according to the website that tracks motor fuel prices. Meanwhile, the website reported on Monday the lowest cost outlets in Carson City were charging $2.93 per gallon. Those low price players were Costco, 700 Old Clear Creek Road, two Arco outlets at 720 and 4190 S. Carson St., and another Arco at 1017 N. Carson St.

“While California, Arizona and Nevada all saw price increases versus a week ago,” said Patrick DeHaan, website petroleum analyst, “the tide turned late in the week when prices peaked and now are moving lower again.” He said after West Coast areas saw hikes, things were “beginning to cool with gas prices declining in all but 15 states versus late week.”

He projected with oil nearing $50 per barrel, there’s a possibility by mid-autumn gasoline prices could fall under $2 per gallon “in a growing number of states.”