CHEYENNE — Wyomingites are facing higher prices at the pump with the average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumping 9 cents in the past week to $4.44, according to a release from AAA. The national average also increased by 13 cents to $4.27 as crude oil prices continue climbing. Volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices back in the $100 per barrel range for the first time since July.

“Pump prices are currently comparable to early June of this year,” said Aldo Vazquez, AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson. “The state and national average are both increasing during a season when gas prices typically go down due to lower gasoline demand after Labor Day.”

Fuel prices locally are largely around $4.50, while Cheyenne averaged $4.26 and Casper $4.21.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.92 million barrels per day to 8.55 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 205.7 million to 206.9 million barrels. Gasoline production decreased last week from 9.8 million barrels per day to 9.3 million barrels.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $3.02 to settle at $96.05 a barrel. The EIA reports that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased 0.4 million barrels to 424.1 million barrels, matching the five-year average.

EV Charging

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents. In Wyoming, the average per kilowatt hour of electricity is 44 cents.