Gas Prices Up Again

New Excuse - Gaza Conflict

January 6, 2009 - 4:34 PM

Gas prices have gone up nationally by six cents in the past ten days and many say it's due to the Gaza conflict.  The conflict could disrupt the oil flow from the Middle East, reducing oil production, thereby raising prices at the pump.  The Gaza conflict is expected to shoot prices back to two dollars a gallon.  Should the situation erupt into an all out war, it could bring prices back up to four dollars per gallon.  "it's very possible. It's certainly on our radar" says Eric Stigberg who serves as AAA's regional public affairs manager.  Mac Brownson who sits on the Gas Retailers Association warns if other oil producing countries get involved in the conflict that will be another reason to watch prices soar. "that's a trouble spot in the middle east. It would automatically affect the markets"  On the bright side, Stigberg believes prices could come back down .  "It depends on how soon this situation with the Israelis gets resolved. We could begin to go back to the pattern we saw in December and that's falling prices"