Ohio gas prices jump after storms knock out power

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gasoline is costing Ohioans an extra quarter per gallon compared with a week ago.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.51 in today’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. That’s up 26 cents from a week ago.

But it’s about a dime cheaper than at this time last year.

Ohio gas prices jumped last week after a series of thunderstorms battered the state, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power for days.

Nationally, the average price for regular gas is about $3.38, up a nickel from last week.

Analysts have suggested that a months-long decline in gas prices may be ending for several reasons amid hope that weak U.S. economic growth may trigger new stimulus measures.