Gas prices on the rise (WRN file photo)
The recent spike in gas prices is not only because prices rise for summer travel but because of the turbulent situation in the key oil-producing nation of Iraq.
That’s the assessment of Greg Laskoski, a senior petroleum analyst for the website “gas buddy dot com.” He says, “We’re at $3.74 right now (in Wisconsin), a week ago we were at $3.72, and a month ago the statewide average was $3.59. So there’s no doubt that we’re seeing prices on the increase. This is all across the Great Lakes region and certainly all across the rest of the country as well.”
Laskoski says the national gas average is $3.66 a gallon which has gone up three cents a gallon in the last week.
Despite the demand for fuel and the uncertainty in Iraq, Laskoski says there is plenty of gasoline in supply. “Our domestic supply is looking pretty strong, for both crude oil inventory as well as gasoline inventory.”
Most Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, and Marshfield stations remain at $3.69 with a few exceptions. The farther north you travel, the more the price goes up. Prices have jumped from $3.69 to $3.74 at some Wausau gas stations. In the Northwoods, Rhinelander’s prices are at $3.74, $3.67 in Minocqua, and as high as $3.99 in Eagle River according to GasBuddy.com.
WXPR