Jul 22, 2014 2 min read

Western Pennsylvania gas prices dipped about four cents to $3.76 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

The average is taken from a survey of prices from multiple retail gasoline stations in 22 communities in the region, including Washington, where the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline was $3.739.

By comparison, the average price in the region during the week of July 15 was $3.801. According to AAA, the average price during the week of July 23, 2013, was $3.676.

AAA said the national average price of gas fell for 25 consecutive days due to abundant refinery production, even as geopolitical tensions gain global attention. Russia and Ukraine returned to the forefront this past week when Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 crashed in eastern Ukraine in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

Additionally, intensifying violence between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza has drawn headlines and concerns that the conflict could have a broader regional impact. Despite these issues, oil markets remain relatively unaffected because there has not been an impact to supply or distribution.

Meanwhile, domestic refinery utilization reached its highest level of the year last week, which has helped to push gas prices lower. Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.57 per gallon, which is the lowest price since April 4. Tuesday’s price was four cents less than one week ago and 11 cents less than one month ago. The national average has now declined for 25 straight days. In comparison to this same date last year, drivers are saving nearly a dime per gallon at the pump.