Fuel Report

How is the oil market related to student loans? MSNBC reports that the House of Representatives passed a bill to freeze doubling the interest rates on such loans by taking money from some of President Barack Obama's health care programs; in a partisan split, most Republicans backed this approach while most Democrats advocated eliminating oil subsidies to free up the funds. Meanwhile, oil prices have dropped slightly on a downgrade to Spain's credit rating and slower economic growth in the United States, according to BusinessWeek. And finally Time says we're one of only three states still averaging over $4 a gallon for a gallon of regular grade gasoline but at least we're not on remote Catalina Island in California, where gas has been over $7 a gallon for some time now.

Since last week, the state average for a gallon of regular has fallen four cents to $4.09 while the national average dropped a nickel to $3.82, according to ConnecticutGasPrices.com. The cheapest reported station in the state as of Friday evening was a Hess in Stratford with a price of $3.86.

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The cheapest reported price available in New London was $4.03 at the on Broad Street and, for cash payments, at the across the street. Every other reported station has its price at $4.09.

The most economical option in Groton is $4.05, available at the Cory's on Route 12. This is followed by $4.06 at the Gulf on Mitchell Street and $4.09 at Citgo on Fort Hill Road and Sunoco on Long Hill Drive. In Waterford, prices start at $4.02 at the BJ's on Cross Road. The Bestway and Mobil on Boston Post Road each have a price of $4.06.

For more information on gas prices and travel conditions, check out our Commute section.

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