TOPPING OFF AT $1.98? GAS PRICES HIT NEW HIGH, BUT RELIEF MAY BE AROUND CORNER.Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer Gasoline prices in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, surged more than 12 cents in the past week - a record high and one of the biggest single-week jumps ever - though some of the region's leading oil price experts suggest an end is near. ``Prices in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Long Beach are now nearing the prices in other parts of the state,'' said Jeffrey Spring, public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most supervisor of the Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. , which monitors prices on a weekly basis. ``The historic advantage due to stronger competition that L.A.-area motorists had seems to have eroded in the current market.'' The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Los Angeles climbed to $1.98 after rising 6 cents a gallon the week before to $1.86. For the past two weeks, swelling gas prices have reached record levels nearly every day, forcing many people to look at ways to cut down on their driving or consider vehicles that get better mileage. ``It's ridiculously high, and once the lease is up on this SUV, I'm not going to get another one'' said 41-year-old Arman Pirim as he filled up. Tom Hogswell, who uses a sport utility vehicle to ferry around his five kids, said the price of gas is a financial burden for his family, but he's still not willing to part with his gas guzzler guz·zle v. guz·zled, guz·zling, guz·zles v.tr. 1. To drink greedily or habitually: guzzle beer. 2. . ``Bigger is better,'' Hogswell, 37, said, pumping 30 gallons of gas into his Chevy Blazer at nearly $58. But as the numerals on gas stations' signs continue to tick up, the ceiling may be closing in. ``The signs are out there if you're willing to read them,'' said Bob Van der Valk Van der Valk was a British television series made by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris Piet van der Valk. , manager of fuel supply for regional gas supplier Cosby Oil. ``The spot market price has adjusted and is now 30 cents below where it was April 24.'' With wholesale prices taming on the spot market, it could drive gas prices down across the board. And while independent retailers can breath a little easier now that gas prices have subsided, drivers may feel a little less pressure on their wallets. ``I think we will see prices come down about a dime by Memorial Day,'' Van der Valk said. Major gas companies also perceive a change as the summer months approach. ``Historically we see the price increases in the springtime and then they peak, but those prices generally remain there,'' said Paul Langland, spokesman for BP, parent of Arco stations. ``This year, it happened a little earlier, but I can't perceive gasoline at $3 a gallon unless a refinery goes down.'' Even with the threat of rolling blackouts dimming the lights, major gas providers are not anticipating any problems. Pipeliner Kinder Morgan Kinder Morgan Inc. NYSE: KMI is an American energy company. It is also, through a subsidiary, the general partner of and owner of many of the interests in Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, a publicly traded pipeline and terminal limited partnership. has signed a contract with Southern California Edison Southern California Edison (or SCE Corp), the largest subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX), is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 11 million people with electricity. that allows the electrical company to interrupt work flow in the event of a power outage Noun 1. power outage - equipment failure resulting when the supply of power fails; "the ice storm caused a power outage" power failure equipment failure, breakdown - a cessation of normal operation; "there was a power breakdown" . Though Edison can interrupt the pipeliner for six hours, four days a week, Kinder Morgan is already operating in excess capacity, said Larry Pierce, a spokesman for Kinder Morgan. As a result, the company will be able to deliver a sufficient amount of gasoline to retailers regardless of rolling blackouts. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , consumers are still feeling the squeeze at the pumps. ``There's nothing you can do about the gas prices,'' 22-year-old Scott Wiesen said. ``It's like brushing your teeth; you just have to do it.'' GASOLINE PRICE WATCH Friday's average price per gallon in L.A.* $1.98 LAST FRIDAY $1.85 * regular unleaded CAPTION(S): box Box: GASOLINE PRICE WATCH (See text) |
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