Gas Prices Surge Upward

Hang onto your gas-caps, prices are on their way up again.  Gasoline prices nationally rose over the past month by 15¢ according to AAA Auto Club’s Fuel Gauge Report, but local prices were slow to reflect that increase.  According to the auto club, the current average price for a gallon of unleaded regular is $3.48 per gallon with the lowest prices to be found through the southern states and the highest prices on the West Coast.  Wyoming has bumped up to an average of 3.46 per gallon of regular and prices in Jackson Hole are now beginning to reflect the rising prices as well.  The average of those stations surveyed by Motor Trend here is now $3.47 and rising, while across the pass in Teton Valley, the average is $3.52.  The reason for the increase experts say is largely an increase in the futures market for a barrel of crude, now more than $90.  Add to that, say energy analysts, some of the increase is also linked to the severe drought since about 10% of the gasoline at the pumps contain ethanol which is distilled from corn.