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Pump prices hit $4 at some stations in WNY

Past gas prices in WNY region
WBFO News file photo of past gas prices in WNY
Past gas prices in WNY region

Gas prices in the Buffalo area have hit the $4.00 a gallon mark for regular unleaded at some gasoline stations.

According to BuffaloGasPrices.com, the price of gas has not been that high since Memorial Day of last year. 

GasBuddy.com petroleum analysts warned earlier in the week that prices would rise sharply in the Western New York region.

But on the West Coast, the cost of gasoline is even higher.  One California resident tells WBFO News she is paying $5.00 a gallon of regular gasoline.   

  U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has been advocating over the years against the high cost of gasoline, and he will continue to urge the Administration to work toward lowering prices at the pumps.

"This time, you know, it's different in different times.  I've had some success of bringing the price down by putting pressure on both the all three administrations, Clinton, Bush and Obama to use the strategic petroleum reserve to get the price down. We've had some real success doing that in the past," said Schumer.

Schumer made his remarks while visiting Western New York last week.  Senator Schumer told local reporters this time, the best solution is to turn to the Saudi's.

"Because the Iranian's are out there and the Saudi's have the capacity in the Saudi's really want to thwart the Iranian's even more than we do   it's a never interesting I think a little pressure might," said Senator Schumer.

Motorist are being warned of the sharp rise.  Senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan is with GasBuddy.com  warns that a refinery fire in Washington State is boosting pump prices significantly throughout the West Coast region and in the Great Lakes area prices continue to jump from Michigan to Kentucky, and along the East Coast.     

BuffaloGasPrices.com says the average retail gasoline prices in Buffalo have risen 9.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.90 Sunday. This compares with the national average that has increased 11.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.64. 

"2012 is looking increasingly like 2008," said Gregg Laskoski, Senior Petroleum Analyst for GasBuddy.com. "Gasoline prices are climbing aggressively as speculation drives crude oil higher; and once again, it's an election year. But this time its the volatility in the Middle East that has everyone wondering 'How high is up?'".