By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-953122.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Average gasoline prices in North Texas are the highest since October 2008.
Dan Ronan, with Triple-A Texas, says the average price for a gallon of gas in Dallas and Fort Worth is up four cents to THREE dollars a gallon.
And he says get used to it.
Ronan: We're going to see gasoline prices probably inch up because this is the time of year when they start to change over the refining chemicals that are used to produce a less polluting gasoline. So, we'll probably see another five to seven, eight cents.
Ronan says converting to the "summer blend" for ozone season diminishes refinery output slightly and bumps up cost. He also says because of pipeline capacity shortages, Gulf Coast refineries are buying more expensive "Brent Crude" from the North Sea. Customers eventually pay for that at the pump.