Americans are getting some relief from lower gasoline prices, which the latest inflation data from the Labor Department shows have declined substantially over the last year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday released the consumer price index (CPI) for January, which showed headline inflation was up 2.4% from a year ago, while core CPI, which excludes volatile measurements of food and energy, was up 2.5% in that period.

Energy prices fell 1.5% in January and have been largely flat over the last year, down just 0.1% in that period, with much of the downward pressure coming from falling gas prices.

The index for all types of gasoline showed prices fell 3.2% in the month of January and are down 7.5% in the last year, according to the BLS data.

INFLATION EASED SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY BUT REMAINED WELL ABOVE THE FED’S TARGET

Gas prices have declined over the last year, helping household budgets. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The U.S. Energy Information Administration and Federal Reserve showed the average price of gas nationwide was $2.90 a gallon as of Feb. 10. 

On that date last year, gas was $3.13 a gallon, which represents a decline of about 7.3%, roughly in line with the January CPI data.

The latest CPI inflation data showed relief in other categories of energy as well. 

CALIFORNIA ‘TRULY AT A BREAKING POINT,’ STATE SENATOR SAYS AS REFINERIES CLOSE AND GAS PRICES SURGE

Propane, kerosene and firewood costs declined 1.5% on a monthly basis and were down 7.9% from a year ago.

The price of fuel oil fell 5.7% in January and has decreased 4.2% over the last year.

While gas prices and those categories of energy have provided relief to consumers, other types of energy have seen prices surge, undercutting some of that relief.

TRUMP CONSIDERS CAPPING STATE GAS TAX, SIGNALS POSSIBLE RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIANS

Gasoline prices fell in January, according to the latest consumer price index data. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Electricity prices were little changed on a monthly basis and fell 0.1% on a monthly basis, but are up 6.3% in the last year.

Utility gas service costs jumped 1% in January and are 9.8% higher than last year, a substantial price hike for households relying on gas to help heat their homes this winter.

Raymond James Chief Economist Eugenio Aleman said in a note that the “picture for February’s CPI will probably be very different than January’s as energy prices are probably going to show positive prints.” 

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“However, we don’t expect increases in transportation services prices to remain as strong during the month, and, thus, inflation’s behavior will probably depend on how strong the reversal in energy prices was in February and what happens to shelter prices during the month,” he added.

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Planning permission for a services site near Catterick has been quashed at the High Court

A decision to grant planning permission for a multi-million-pound motorway service area off the A1(M) in North Yorkshire has been quashed by the High Court after an intervention by a rival firm.

Roadchef is planning an 11-hectare service station at Catterick. Plans for the MSA at Pallet Hill Farm were approved by North Yorkshire Council’s (NYC) strategic planning committee in December 2024.

But a legal challenge at the High Court in Leeds by rival services operator Moto, which runs a service area at Scotch Corner and has planning permission in place to redevelop nearby Barton Services, has delayed the development.

The challenge was based around the risk of the site flooding, with recent flood risk mapping issued by the Environment Agency showing the site as having areas at a high risk of flooding (zone 3) and some areas of medium risk (zone 2).

Moto argued that Roadchef had not demonstrated that there were no alternative sites for the development in areas with a lower risk of flooding. The council had then accepted the applicant’s submissions ahead of the planning committee’s vote, it was claimed.

The court agreed, with the decision notice stating: “The (council) officer’s report wrongly accepted that the flood risk sequential test was ‘passed’ without a flood risk-based sequential assessment of alternative locations for the proposed development.

“The report displays a flawed approach to national policy in this regard, which is a material error in the context of the decision as a whole.”

The application will now need to be reassessed by the council, with a new consultation process already underway. The court ruled that North Yorkshire Council must pay Moto’s costs.

The application was approved in 2024 despite widespread objections from the local community, amid claims the scheme would “decimate” a wildlife haven. Campaigners said it would destroy a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation used by red-list protected migratory birds, including curlew and lapwing.

Campaigners and several councillors also voiced concerns about proposed mitigation measures, which included a new habitat for wildlife on land around 10 miles away at East Cowton. The application had been provisionally approved by members of Richmondshire District Council in 2022, but was being brought back to North Yorkshire Council because of a legal issue.

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, said: “We acknowledge the High Court’s decision and fully accept the outcome. A revised application has now been submitted, and we will review it through the normal planning process.”

A spokesperson for Roadchef said the High Court ruling was an “unfortunate and disappointing issue” which was brought about by a technical error.

They added: “The proposed Motorway Service Area at Catterick received provisional approval from Richmondshire Council in 2022 and approval from North Yorkshire Council in 2024. This development represents a critical piece of infrastructure and investment for the strategic road network and will deliver substantial benefits to the local economy.

“We are actively working with North Yorkshire Council to resubmit this application and remain committed to delivering this development.”