As Americans emerge from a very expensive heating season, the prospect of a high-priced summer looms on the horizon. Temperatures are rising and so are gas prices.
According to an April 25, 2006, Reuters’ report, gasoline prices rose 42 cents a gallon over the past month and 13.1 cents the week of April 17 alone.
The Department of Energy (DOE) predicts that gasoline will cost 25 cents more per gallon than it did last summer; however, according to an April 12, Washington Post article, some analysts say that the April-through-September forecast is too low, given that prices have already reached predicted levels.
April 25, President George W. Bush addressed the country regarding gas prices. He suggested several solutions, including easing environmental regulations, suspending oil purchases for the federal emergency oil reserve, and urging oil companies to increase their investments into alternative energy. The President also announced that he has ordered investigations into whether the price of gasoline has been illegally manipulated.
The DOE maintains a gasoline price reporting system. Consumers can report activity at local gas stations they believe may be price fixing by filling out a Gasoline Price Watch form. According to the DOE, 35,000 people reported gas prices to their Web site and hotline last year
Log onto Beating the High Cost of Cruising for tips on saving gasoline.
