WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- Even though the pain at the pump continues here in Whatcom County, we are beginning to see some encouraging signs.

Now that BP’s Cherry Point Refinery is back up and running following repairs from
February’s fire, local prices are on the decline.

Regular unleaded dropped over $0.15 in the past week to an average yesterday of $4.31 a gallon in Bellingham, according to the AAA.

But, that’s still $0.11 a gallon more than a month ago and $0.37 more than a year ago at this time.

Bellingham remains the metro area in Washington State with the most expensive gas – motorists in Spokane were paying an average of just $3.93 a gallon yesterday.