KRISTIE MOSS / Scroll
This picture, taken April 20 at a Rexburg gas station, shows the price of gas at $2.37. During the last week, Rexburg gas prices rose as high as $2.59.

Idaho ranks among the lowest for gas prices

Gideon Oakes Scroll Staff

The price of oil climbed to a new record high Wednesday, April 19, when it reached $72.40 per barrel.

High oil prices, combined with nuclear tensions between Iran and the international community, promise to raise gas prices this summer, according to some industry analysts.

However, during this time of high gas prices and economic insecurity, citizens of Rexburg can breathe a small sigh of relief, knowing Idaho’s gas prices are among the lowest in the country.

The national average on April 24, was $2.91 per gallon. In many places around the country, however, gas is once again knocking at the door of $3 per gallon, especially in New England and on the West Coast, according to AAA.

As of Monday, April 24, the average gas price in Rexburg was $2.54 per gallon, with the highest price at $2.59, according to idahogasprices.com.

This latest increase in gas prices has some wondering who is to blame for the extra pain being felt at the pump.

“Back home, gas is at $2.86,” said Scott Allen, a sophomore from Mesa, Ariz. “It seems that gas prices are the only thing inflating.”

The issue has also resurfaced the controversy of drilling for domestic oil in places such as the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

Supporters point to the economic advantages of cheaper gas and, as a consequence, more disposable income. But those who oppose the drilling point to the huge enviromental impact it would have.

“We have enough oil to sustain us, why don’t we just use what we have?” Allen said.

Some consumer advocate groups are blaming oil industry profiteering for the higher prices, some even allege price gouging.

This comes as oil companies are reporting record profits, with Exxon-Mobil alone bringing in $36 billion in 2005.

“This is all about increased refining margins and profits,” said Jamie Court, president of The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, based out of Santa Monica, Calif.

Petroleum industry officials blame the increase on instability in oil-exporting countries such as Iran, Nigeria, Sudan and Venezuela, combined with post-Katrina refinery shortages.

Whatever the case, many experts agree high gas prices are here to stay.

“This is not something that is going to go away quickly,” said Severin Borenstein of the University of California Energy Institute in Berkeley, Calif. “Oil supplies are limited, and we’re coming to grips with that.”