Prices dip locally to $2.33

Gasoline prices across the U.S. are expected to average $2.60 a gallon next year. That's the prediction from the Energy Department.

That's 23 percent below the projected average for this year and the lowest since 2009. If this prediction holds true, the price drop will save U.S. drivers $100 billion over the course of the year.

In its most recent short-term energy outlook, released Tuesday, the Energy Department cut its gasoline price forecast for 2015 by 35 cents a gallon. It was the second cut of more than 30 cents a gallon in two months.

The average national price of gasoline fell to $2.66 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA, 61 cents less than last year. The national average has fallen every day since Sept. 26.

Locally, gas prices have been reported as low as $2.33 in Clifton and $2.49 in Momence.

94.1 WGFA