Gasoline availability continues to improve after demand created by Hurricane Irma left many gas stations without fuel, according to AAA.
A steady stream of ships delivering gas to Florida's ports is helping to normalize supply levels in the Southeastern U.S., and gas prices are beginning to drift a little lower, AAA said in a news release.
Last week, gas hit its highest price in three years. In 2014, oil was the main driver of pump prices, as crude traded at $65 to $75 per barrel.
This year, hurricanes were the catalyst. Although oil prices hovered around $47 a barrel, the average price for gas in Florida jumped 46 cents since Aug. 22.
“Hurricanes Harvey and Irma delivered a 1-2 punch on gas prices in the Southeastern U.S.,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “Prices surged when Hurricane Harvey caused refinery outages along the Gulf Coast. As refineries recovered, gas prices should have begun to decline after Labor Day, but the arrival of Hurricane Irma caused a surge in demand.
“Gas prices are poised to plummet 30 cents,” Jenkins said. “It will not happen overnight, as pump prices decline much slower than they rise. Plus, the threat of any new storms making landfall in the U.S. would compromise the collapse. However, motorists should see gas prices decline through the end of the month, and possibly reach the lowest point of the year in Q4."
Gov. Rick Scott has reappointed Art Graham to the Florida Public Service Commission.
Graham, 53, of Jacksonville Beach, is reappointed for a term beginning Jan. 2 and ending Jan. 1, 2022.
Graham previously served on the Jacksonville City Council.
Scott also appointed David “Ritch” Workman and Gary Clark to the commission.
Workman, 44, of Melbourne, is the director of business development at Keiser University. He previously served in the state House of Representatives and in the Florida Army National Guard. He succeeds Ronald Brisé and is appointed for a term beginning Jan. 2 and ending Jan. 1, 2022.
Clark, 49, of Chipley, is the Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that began Friday and ends Jan. 1, 2019.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Level Office is offering a week of free co-working space to small business owners and other working professionals displaced by Hurricane Irma, as well as discounted short-term office space.
The company’s Downtown office at 25 N. Market St. reopened Sept. 13 after the storm.
“We know how important it is to have a productive workspace, and we want to help fellow business owners get back to work as quickly and affordably as possible,” said Level Office founder Bill Bennett.
The company also is offering free meeting space for first responder teams and nonprofit organizations assisting in the city’s recovery.
“Jacksonville is a strong city full of passionate, entrepreneurial people, and we at Level Office know the city will pull together and recover from this tragedy,” Bennett said. “We stand with Jacksonville and are here for our clients and the city’s business community.”
For more information, visit leveloffice.com.
