Nationally gas is under $2 a gallon

For the first time in almost six years, the national pump price for a gallon of gasoline dropped below $2, according to GasBuddy.com, but Nevada’s price held steady.

In Carson City, meanwhile, the lowest outlet topped the $2 per gallon and was a blip above the lowest a week earlier. The lowest capital city price was $2.03 at a north side ARCO station. Nationally, however, the website that monitors gasoline prices said the downside breach of $2 came for the first time since March 25, 2009, as more than two-thirds of gas stations were selling for $1.99 or less per gallon.

“For now, with the recent decline in crude oil prices continuing,” said the website, “the week long $2 barrier has finally been crossed.” It may continue in places.

“There is more good news on the horizon for those who enjoy the low prices: many areas will see them stick around for a good portion of the winter,” according to a news release issued by the website from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

An accompanying map showed that many states had more than 50 percent of gas stations selling at under $2 a gallon, but Nevada and some other western states had under 1 percent of outlets selling below that level.

In Nevada, said the website, average retail gasoline prices haven’t moved in the past week and were averaging $2.48 a gallon on Sunday. That was based on a survey of 1,130 outlets.

In Carson City, the lowest station at $2.03 a gallon was the ARCO at North Carson Street and Medical Parkway. Costco, at 7000 Old Clear Creek Road, and Smith’s, at 505 E. William St., were at $2.05 a gallon, the website reported Monday.

The highest of 25 stations surveyed in Carson City and environs was the Chevron station just south of the city at Micah Drive, where the pump price was said to be $2.51 a gallon.

California, like Nevada just to the east of the Golden State, also was among the group of western states with few outlets reporting pump prices below $2.

Gregg Lasoski, a GasBuddy petroleum analyst, said the Grinch hit California with an upward price spike due to refinery problems.

“California’s hikes tie directly to issues at two refineries with combined capacity exceeding 400,000 barrels per day,” he said.