Utah gas price hike is fastest in the nation

Gas prices in the state jumped by more than 30 cents per gallon over the past month, the highest month-over-month increase in the nation, according to price data released last week by AAA.

Despite an all-time high in U.S. gasoline supplies, motorists are still paying more at the pump —especially in Utah.

Gas prices in the state jumped by more than 30 cents per gallon over the past month, the highest month-over-month increase in the nation, according to price data released last week by AAA.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.39 a week ago, the eighth-highest rate nationwide, although the price is still 53 cents lower than at the same time last year.

The expected restart of the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California, last month was supposed to ease pressure on supplies in the region and offer relief to Utah’s motorists, but the restart was delayed, said Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokeswoman.

Still, some other states hadn’t seen as significant an increase as Utah. Prices in California rose only 3 cents over the same timeframe, compared to Utah’s 30, she noted.

In the longer term, there should be enough supply to keep prices below those of previous years, she said. The Energy Information Administration reported recently that U.S. supplies were the highest on record heading into May.