Prices at the Pump Are Starting to Bump up Again!

All good things must come to an end! And so it goes with gas prices.

If you haven't noticed, they're starting to climb again. Albeit slight mind you, the price at the pump is over the $2.00 mark for the first time in a few weeks.

I have to admit, it was kinda nice to be able to throw $20 in the tank and get over a half a tank of gas for change.

There's no doubt the cheaper gas prices lately have afforded more people a few opportunities they might not have had a chance to do in awhile, you know, things like; being able to eat out a little more often, take in an extra movie here and there, do a little more traveling, etc.

Marilyn Buskohl, spokesperson for AAA says the increase is happening for a number of different reasons.

"Traditionally in the spring refineries start shutting down, which kind of tightens up gasoline supplies,” said Buskohl.

This time of year refineries are also switching over to making summer blends, and currently workers at several refineries are on strike.

Buskohl hopes this time around it will be a gradual climb instead of soaring like they did in the past.

Buskohl does predict as the year goes on, gas prices will continue to increase.

She says, “We expect to see probably a 30-50 cent increase throughout the summer."

The good news, she doesn't expect gas prices to eclipse the $3.00 mark in 2015.

Before you start to complain too much, keep in mind that gas prices are roughly a $1.17 lower than they were a year ago at this time.

The average gas price in South Dakota as of Wednesday was $1.99. I spotted $2.09 a gallon on my drive home on Wednesday night here in Sioux Falls.

Source: KDLT TV