One explanation for the price increase is that the marketplace is skittish, because of recent refinery fires in Chicago and California. The fear was that the supply would be threatened. Only 36 percent thought so at this time last year. The petroleum industry said that new costs to carry out environmental standards are partly to blame.
Federal requirements call for cleaner, reformulated gas to reduce smog.
While the price increase likely won't change spring travel plans, commuters driving every day feel it the most. AAA has asked the federal government to more closely monitor the industry to look for any price manipulation and asked that the clean-burning fuel requirement be temporarily suspended. Copyright 2001 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.