Relief at the gas pump? A drop in temperatures brings a drop in gas prices

Sep 9, 2022, 9:30 AM | Updated: Oct 6, 2022, 3:20 pm

Gas prices at the Hearts, Gas & Food, Phillips 66 station on 335 West 7200 South in Midvale on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. A bill in the 2023 Utah legislature would trim the gas tax by two cents per gallon, while creating a new tax for drivers of out-of-state electric vehicles. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

(Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

BY BRITT JOHNSON

KSLNewsRadio

SALT LAKE CITY — The price at the pump is expected to drop even more for Utahns as we head into colder months. With the cost of gas in Utah topping $5.20 in recent months, the price drop will be a welcome change for Utah motorists.

John Treanor with the Triple-A explained the drop, saying customers could see a decrease of seven to ten cents per gallon when gas switches from a summer blend to a winter blend.

“In the winter months, what’s called the Reid Vapor Pressure — it’s a gauge that the EPA uses to regulate how much emissions your fuel can have — changes. In the winter months that range can be higher,” said Treanor.

While the change may be friendlier to the wallet, air quality will take a hit. EPA regulations passed in 1990 allow more butane in gas during winter months, and that makes the gas less expensive.

“That means you can put more butane in. Butane is essentially a filler there. It helps your fuel burn a little faster, burn a little hotter but it does cause more vapor,” Treanor said.

According to the AAA, the current average price for a gallon of gas in Salt Lake City is $4.27. This price marks a .41 cent drop from this time last month.