U.S. gas prices surge to near $2.50 per gallon

Federal environmental rules, higher crude costs blamed

NEW YORK – The cost of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose during the past two weeks due to federal regulations and higher crude oil prices seen late last week, according to an industry analyst.

The national average retail price for self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline was $2.499 per gallon on March 24, up nearly 15 cents from two weeks earlier, according to the nationwide Lundberg survey of about 7,000 gas stations.

Although crude oil prices rose, the prime drivers behind the higher prices were changes in the gasoline formula instituted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the new national energy bill signed into law in late August.