Get set for more pain at the pump

Get set for more pain at the pump

Gas prices have never been this close to $3 a gallon for regular gasoline this late in the year. And they likely are headed higher, energy analysts say.

Pump prices normally fall after the summer driving season ends, but record crude oil prices this month have kept gasoline prices high.

They are expected to creep even higher in the next few weeks, said Doug MacIntyre, a spokesman for the federal Energy Information Administration.

Oil companies have been accepting lower profit margins lately because gasoline demand has started to taper off and the economy has showed signs of slowing, MacIntyre said.

Gasoline prices could be 15 cents a gallon higher than they are now based on crude oil prices, he said.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.