Gas prices jump up

A new state survey shows the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is six cents more this month. Ward Lenz of the state’s energy bureausays that’s the biggest month-to-month price jump since the Gulf War. He says oil-producing countries are floating a deal which would reduce oil production world-wide. That will raise the price of crude oil — and end up hiking the price of gasoline here. OPEC oil ministers will meet next week in Europe. If they reduce oil production, Lenz says gas prices in Iowa willprobably be in the dollar range. If they fail to agree, Lenz expects gas prices here to sink. Lenz’s check of pump prices on March 15th found little range in price throughout the state. However, gas prices in Iowa are still eight-cents below the average of March, 1998.