GASOLINE PRICES - Up, Up And Away

(01/24/2006)
By Bob Weaver

Oil prices have zoomed to a four-and-a-half month high above $68 a barrel and gasoline prices are rising.

The highest prices since Hurricane Katrina.

The price increase may be partly tied to supply fears regarding Iran's tense diplomatic stance with the US over its nuclear ambitions.

Prices for low test are creeping to about $2.50 a gallon in the region.

Some analysts are predicting records highs for oil, between $70 and $80 a barrel.

The average diesel fuel price paid by truckers increased 2.3 cents over the last week to $2.47 a gallon, up 51 cents compared with a year earlier.

Truckers in New England paid the most for diesel at $2.67 a gallon.

Lee Raymond, the Chairman and CEO of Exxon-Mobil will not likely struggle to fill up his tank, with his compensation package in excess of $81-million a year.