Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, February 27, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Hoosiers are feeling more pain at the pump, as gas prices rise for the 19th day in a row.
In Indianapolis, the price depends on the part of town. On the south side near Beech Grove, we found prices at $3.75/gallon.
In Fountain Square, prices were about 15-cents cheaper at $3.59 at multiple stations.
That's also below the $3.69 national average, according to Triple-A, but about 30-cents more than we were paying just a month ago. Just in the past two weeks, gas prices have jumped 18 cents, and indications point to continued increases as we head toward summer.
Finding places where prices are trending lower than the average will be the challenge.
Analysts say rising crude oil prices are driving the increase. Last week, crude closed at just under $110 a barrel. And if oil prices remain high, gas prices will continue to rise.
Beth Mosher of AAA - Chicago said other factors are pushing pump prices higher, "We're seeing tensions in Iran, we're watching the economic situation in Greece, all of these are feeding the prices. They're going up."
It's always better and worse somewhere else. In Denver, they're paying only $3.07 on average, but in San Diego it's $4.24.
Gas prices are now on the radar of Republican presidential hopefuls.
With the increase happening during a presidential election year, and with Super Tuesday looming, gas prices are part of the political debate.
Mitt Romney (R) is promising to increase domestic oil supply, "On day one, I'm going to say to the Department of Energy and drillers for oil and gas to take advantage of resources right away."
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama thinks we should "end 100 years of subsidies and make sure we're doubling down on clean energy."
Newt Gingrich, another GOP candidate, criticizes Obama's push for alternative energy. "I think a lot of people will disagree deeply with Barack Obama over the idea that we should wait around until he grows enough algae," he said.
On Capitol Hill, the Republican-controlled House has passed a bill that would increase offshore drilling, open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, and fast track approval of the Keystone pipeline - all in an effort to bring prices down. But experts say it would take some time.
That measure is part of a larger transportation bill that faces tough opposition in the Senate, where Democrats are working on their own bill.
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