The gas pump blues are back again. Triple-A-Iowa spokesman Gene LaDoucer says this time, the price hikes are due to refineries changing blends. LaDoucer says "Refineries are brought down for their springtime maintenance and preparation for producing their summertime blends of fuels. There is a supply-demand inbalance and the prices goes up this time of year."
As to how high those prices will go, Ladoucer says it may not be as bad as you think. He says "In the Midwest, Southeast, anywhere east of the Rockies, we’ll be seeing gas probably running between $2.50 and $2.70 a gallon this year." The Triple-A survey finds gas in Iowa is averaging $2.52 a gallon, five-cents below the national average.
LaDoucer says the hike in pump prices hasn’t affected people’s driving habits in Iowa. He says "People have become comfortable with that price and generally haven’t generally curtailed their travel. We expect travel to be busy this summer." OPEC representatives have agreed to keep oil production at current levels. They are content with prices and supply levels. Crude oil futures have been trading just below $60 a barrel but gas prices in the U.S. continue to climb.