Roller coaster year for gas prices 01/05/2010 SHOW LOW - According to the people who play watchdog on the gasoline industry and at-the-pump prices in Arizona, the year has been one of ups and downs. The same held true here in the White Mountains. Right now the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the Show Low area hovers around $2.59 per-gallon, less at outlets with discount programs. On Jan. 1, 2009, Arizona motorists saw the lowest price of the entire year at only $1.60 per-gallon for regular unleaded, on June 18 it reached a 2009 high of $2.69 and right now an average of $2.60 marks the resting place of a gallon of gas in the state. According to AAA Arizona representatives, the year was marked by long periods of stability in "stark contrast" to the year before. Their statistics indicate this year, the statewide average spent 106 days below the $2 mark, 172 days above $2.50 per-gallon and the remaining 87 days were spent between $2 and $2.50 per-gallon. "A number of factors shaped 2009 crude and fuel prices, including the value of the U.S. dollar, crude supply levels, fuel demand and the global economy. Looking ahead to 2010, the speed and vigor of economic recovery will have a major influence on retail fuel and crude prices," said AAA Arizona Public Affairs Director Linda Gorman. "One year ago today, gasoline was selling for $1.84 a gallon. At that time, oil cost about $1 per-gallon or about $44 per-barrel. The important thing to note here is that often, the lowest gas prices of the year usually happen in December or January, so this year's relatively high price could be an ugly harbinger of things to come. And at nearly $3 a gallon on average, we are headed into the New Year with the one of highest 'low prices' ever. In fact, the only time gasoline prices have averaged more than $3 a gallon at the beginning of the year was in 2008, the year San Diego gas prices skyrocketed to $4.63 a gallon," said Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) Gas Project Manager Charles Langley. He noted California motorists might see unreasonably high prices return in 2010 due to a variety of factors that have more to do with California's gasoline cartel than the cost of oil or supply and demand. In Arizona, Tucson drivers continue to pay the least for fuel at an average per-gallon price of $2.50 and Yuma motorists shell out the most to with an average fuel price of $2.71 per-gallon. Nationwide, Wyoming motorists are paying the least for a gallon of regular unleaded with an average of $2.44 per-gallon, while California motorists continue paying the most in the lower 48 states at an average of $2.95 per gallon. ©WMICentral 2010 To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.wmicentral.com