Gas hike possible for drivers

TOLEDO - With the travel season approaching, Ohio motorists are bracing for higher fuel prices and the possible return of $2-a-gallon gasoline.

"Many of the ingredients that caused the increases last summer are still with us," said Geoff Sundstrom, a spokesman at AAA's national office in Heathrow, Fla. He has tracked gasoline prices for 10 years.

"Prices may not get to the $2 level, but certainly they will be much higher (this summer) than they are now," said Sundstrom, who has tracked gasoline prices for 10 years.

Supply disruptions similar to last summer would be the most likely reason for another price spiral this year, experts said.

Sundstrom said a continuing economic downturn could dampen fuel demand.

"That would just be a silver lining, though. We don't advocate having a recession to keep gas prices lower," he said.

Dave Costello, an economist with the Federal Energy Information Administration, said that low gasoline inventories make the market especially vulnerable to shortages.

The federal agency expects a national summer price average in the high $1.40s, he said.

"But don't be surprised if we get another spike - the underlying conditions are there," Costello said. "Two-dollar gasoline is possible but not very likely."