Missouri
Gas Prices Set To Surge To $3.50 And Beyond By April
By Jay Murry
Mar 9, 2008 - 11:56:28 PM

For those income tax filers who expect a refund from the federal government this year, they may have to put that refund right into their gas tanks.

Gas retailers and industry analysts tell Kaspar Broadcasting by the April 15^th filing deadline of tax returns, we could see gas prices around $3.75 a gallon, if current trends and developments that affect gas prices continue deep into spring.

Prices for unleaded regular gas are hovering around the $3.00 mark currently in the Westplex, and they have been held there by an oversupply of gas in the Midwest that helped keep gas import levels at a five-year low.   However, with a final break from the snowy winter just around the corner, the demand for gas by a motoring public that has cabin fever will evaporate that oversupply very quickly…according to our sources within the gas and oil industries.

Along with that sharp increase in demand with the accompanying warmer weather, some refineries are getting ready to shut down or curtail gas production so they can do their spring maintenance.   And, if the crude oil prices continue to surge well over $100 a barrel, then a large spike in gas prices is probable…much like what the West Coast is enduring now, with gas prices there at or above the $4.00 mark.

To combat that predicted increase in gas prices, motorists in the Westplex may need to consider forming more carpools, since the area west of the Missouri River is lacking in available public transportation.