Average retail gasoline prices in Lee County have fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.54/g Sunday. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.8 cents per gallon in

the last week to $3.61/g, according to gasoline price website

CapeCoralGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in the greater Fort Myers area during the past week, prices Sunday were 92.8 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 13.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 9.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 91.6 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“Retail gasoline prices finished last week quite strong in some areas on concern surrounding Hurricane Irene,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst.

“The concern surrounding refinery production on the East Coast helped boost gasoline prices outside that area as well. The good news for motorists is that damage to refineries was likely minimal and gasoline production will resume soon. However, with Labor Day weekend fast approaching and these refineries

taking days to resume production we still may see retail prices gradually climb during this week,” DeHaan adds.