Gas prices on the rise; NY State has highest gas price in nation
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: February 4, 2013
You've probably noticed it, gas at the pump is getting more expensive.
New York State currently has the highest gas prices in the nation beating out California.
This time of year, Central New Yorkers normally enjoy cheaper gas prices.
But, Ed Welsh of AAA says there are some economic factors to blame for the increase.
"We've lost a lot of refining capacity here in the northeast over the past couple of years. Hess just closed last week. They closed the jersey refinery permanently. We will source it from elsewhere but we will pay more transportation costs to get it here... A factor as to why gas prices are higher in Utica than rest of the state," said Welsh.
The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is also another factor to the increase in prices.
AAA says they don't see the prices going down, but it's too early to tell regarding how much it will go up.
