As of Sunday gas prices were $0.14 higher than they were last week, bringing the national average for regular unleaded to $2.21 a gallon. The cost has been rising steadily over the last week and a half and Friday oil closed at it highest point so far this year. So does that mean we're on a collision course to last year's $4 a gallon prices?
"First thing I thought was I can't believe prices are going up again. I don't know if I'm going to be able to deal with it," said Melissa Smith. When she saw gas prices sneak back up past $2 a gallon she knew she didn't want to go back to last year's lifestyle. "I didn't travel as much. I stayed home. It effected everything," she said.
In the past week in Arkansas, we've seen gas prices jump about $0.18 to $2.13 a gallon. It's nothing like what we saw last year but it's enough to raise concern among some drivers. But political science professor Art English with UALR says President Obama could do something about this before gas gets back up to $4 a gallon. One solution: making a public appeal to fuel companies to keep prices low if they can.
"The companies don't say they have any control of them either supposedly, but that's a tactic that's been used by presidents in the past," English explained.
English says it's worked among presidents with popularity like Obama's.
Then there's concept of an increased federal gas tax. The idea is that even though you'd be paying more at the pump it would reduce demand enough to keep prices from soaring to the $4 mark. It's an idea with little support. But English says the most realistic solution is already in the works, it just isn't a quick fix.
"A lot of the President's programs deal with clean energy, renewable sources. Certainly that's an important one, but it's not going to happen overnight," English said.
Smith says even though Sunday it cost her half of what it took to fill up her tank last year, she's not pushing her luck. She isn't planning any big summer trips and she's prepared to reduce her spending again. She just hopes it doesn't come to that.
