Gas Prices Up 133% in Northeastern Arkansas

With gas prices on the rise all over the country, I asked the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform to conduct a study on the impact of rising gas prices in northeastern Arkansas. The study found:

The study found that:

• Average gasoline prices in Northeastern Arkansas have increased for four straight years, from an average of $1.22 in 2001 to $2.84 thus far in 2006. This is a 133% price increase, which is almost ten times the rate of inflation.

• The rising cost of gasoline requires two-car families in Arkansas to pay an average of $1,970 more in 2006 than they did in 2001. This will cost Arkansas drivers about $2 billion more this year than in 2001, or $167 million on average per month.

• In Jonesboro, high gas prices will cost all drivers an extra $27 million this year, and each family about $1,500 more than in 2001. In West Memphis, high gas prices will cost all drivers an extra $24 million this year, and each family about $1,840 than in 2001.

Click here to read the full press release.