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Gasoline prices highest since wake of Katrina
 A Shell gas station on Pleasant Street in Attleboro shows just what drivers are in for these days when they stop at the pump. (Staff photo by Martin Gavin)
Top Headlines Prices are up for the fourth consecutive week, coming in at an average of $3.08 per gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline, the latest statewide survey by AAA of Southern New England Monday found. That is just 1 cent more than last week, but last week prices skyrocketed 9 cents from the prior week. Costs are 14 cents higher than four weeks ago. Prices at the pump have risen in response to the surge in oil prices that last week broke the $104-per-barrel mark for the first time, falling just below $105. That spike comes in spite of hefty gasoline supplies and decreasing U.S. demand because of high gas prices and the slowing economy, analysts say. However, record crude oil stockpiles have started to decline, demand is up in other parts of the world such as China and India, and oil production has been curtailed in some oil-producing countries. There have also been fears OPEC would reduce supplies, but so far it has been holding steady. Prices in Massachusetts are the highest since Katrina led to a sharp run-up that peaked at $3.23 a gallon before quickly receding. In Rhode Island, prices rose 1 cent, to $3.14 a gallon. The average in Massachusetts remains 14 cents below the nation's $3.22 average, the highest national average on record. Costs hit a high in Massachusetts in 2007 of $3.04 on Memorial Day; the low for last year was $2.15 in early February. A year ago, the average price was $2.51. The Energy Department expects gas prices to peak near $3.40 this spring, and some analysts predict pump prices could rise to nearly $4 a gallon when the busy summer driving season arrives. The price of oil is hiking the costs of groceries and other products. The range in prices for regular gasoline is 28 cents, from $2.97 to $3.25. The average prices for self-serve midgrade and premium are $3.20 and $3.31. Motorists can find up-to-date gas prices with the AAA Fuel Finder by logging onto www.AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips & Tools. Also, motorists can visit aaa.com to plan road trip routes.
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