BOISE — Average retail gasoline prices in Idaho have fallen 1.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.05 a gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 802 gas outlets in Idaho. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.27 a gallon.

    Furthermore, prices on Dec. 30 did not budge when compared to the same day one year ago, and the price of gas is 44.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

    The national average has decreased 13.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 1.7 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

    “2012 was a year that focused the spotlight on our nation's oil refineries; it showed us the vulnerability of our infrastructure and what can happen to prices at the pump when infrastructure is compromised,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan in a news release. “We began the year with a BP refinery fire in Cherry Point, Wash. that caused massive spikes on the west coast. The spring delivered challenges for Great Lakes refineries and pushed Chicago gas prices to a record high. Similarly, the California summer saw major refinery outages there and new record high prices.”

    He continued: “Hurricane Sandy delivered a punishing blow to the East Coast causing refinery shutdowns, flooding and power outages. The resulting fuel shortage triggered mile-long lines for gas. NY gasoline spiked to a price level exceeding Honolulu and Anchorage as the highest in the U.S.”

    With elevated prices across much of the country for prolonged periods, 2012 brought the highest average price ever for U.S. consumers: $3.60 per gallon.  

    For a closer look at the GasBuddy “Year in Review” report visit: http://www.scribd.com/GasBuddy.