WASHINGTON (AP) — The Energy Department has again slashed its prediction for next year's average price of gasoline across the U.S. — this time to $2.60 a gallon. That would be 23 percent below this year's projected average and the lowest full-year average since 2009.
If that comes to pass, the price drop will save U.S. drivers $100 billion over the course of the year based on current consumption levels. That would boost the overall economy by reducing shipping and transportation costs, and leaving consumers more money to spend on other things.
In its most recent short-term energy outlook, released Tuesday, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration cut its gasoline price forecast for 2015 by 35 cents a gallon. It was the second time in two months that the EIA cut the forecast by more than 30 cents a gallon.
The average national price of gasoline to $2.66 a gallon on Tuesday according to AAA, 61 cents less than last year at this time. The national average has fallen every day since September 26.
