Gas prices should keep rising

www.lancastereaglegazette.com By HOLLIE SAUNDERS The Eagle-Gazette Staff

The up and down prices of gasoline at the pumps may be a way of preparing people for a possible sharper increase by spring.

According to the Ohio Auto Club, the current Ohio price average is currently $1.40, which is 12 cents higher than a month ago, and 24 cents more than a year ago, even though it is 6 cents less than the national average.

The national average is currently $1.46, which is 8 cents higher than a month ago and 34 cents more than a year ago.

Gasoline prices nationwide are expected to average $1.54 a gallon by mid-spring. Summer prices are likely to be even higher as fuel demand historically increases in June with the coming of the summer driving season.

The Ohio Auto Club cited reasons for the current prices as because of declining inventories of crude oil in the United States; and a recent increase in world oil prices to as much as $32 per barrel.

The cost of regular gasoline at Speedway on North Memorial Drive, Lancaster, dropped on Friday from $1.47 to $1.45.

"It's like a roller coaster, constantly going up and down," Speedway employee Pam Lynch said. "People accept it. You need it, so you have to pay whatever it is."

Adriana Escalante of Athens said she tries to cope with the increasing cost of gas.

"I avoid driving as much as possible since it's so expensive," Escalante said. "There's not a lot of money and good jobs are scarce, so you do the best you can."

Escalante is a member of the Ohio National Guards. She said she doesn't really see how foreign affairs affects the current price of gasoline.

"I think the government sets the standard for gas prices based on where the economy is at," she said.

Evan Cansler of Mansfield is a heavy equipment operator.

"The type of work I do, I have to drive, and I have to buy gas. I have to roll along with what comes along. I can't worry about what the gas prices are or will be," Cansler said. "As far why the prices are going up, it goes deeper than a lot of people realize."

At Dave and Mike's Marathon, 159 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, price for regular gas also dropped on Friday -- from $1.53 to $1.48.

Tom Winezer of Lancaster, an employee at Marathon's said the prices have not affected business.

"People complain a lot, but they still pay," Winezer said. "There's not a lot you can do about it."

Employees at Meijer's Gas Station, 2900 Columbus-Lancaster Road N.W. said their gas came down a few cents to $1.45 on Friday.

OPEC members, meeting in Vienna Austria, agreed Sunday to boost the cartel's oil production target by 6.5 percent to stabilize a world market jittery over a crisis in Venezuela and the possibility of war in Iraq.

The increase of 1.5 million barrels a day -- to 24.5 million barrels -- would take effect Feb. 1, OPEC President Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah told a news conference at the group's headquarters in Vienna.

Al Attiyah confirmed that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries wants to keep prices of its benchmark blend of crudes at $22-$28 per barrel. Friday prices hovered around $30.

Whie House officials, have said repeatedly in recent weeks that no consideration is being given at this time to use any of the 592 million barrels of oil kept in the emergency reserve to ease supply pressures.

(The Ohio Auto Club and the Associated Press contributed to this story)