Latest on Gas Prices? Still Rising

Just two months ago, Patch  at the rising fuel prices within the township and wondered just how high they'd go? At the time, some analysts were projecting a staggering $5 per gallon of gas by the summer. While we've yet to hit that dreaded number, one thing is certain: Prices are climbing and showing no signs of slowing down.

Fuel prices across the state have increased by 12 percent over the past month, according to a U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. On average, the price per gallon of gas has jumped by a whopping 75 cents since last year.

While much of the price increase at the pump can be attributed to the unrest going on in the Middle East, Menendez believes that actions can be taken within the United States to help improve the situation.

On Sunday, Menendez introduced a plan that he believes will help both New Jersey residents and small businesses cope with the national fuel price hike. In a prepared statement Menendez said, "New Jersey families and small businesses are taking it on the chin. Doing nothing is not an option for families and it isn't an option for me."

In Menendez's proposed legislation, the Senator requests that President Barack Obama sell off 50 million barrels of oil from the nation's reserves and put that money towards paying off the deficit and allocate the remaining funds to technology that could be used to help cut down on the country's reliance on oil.

In addition, Menendez suggests increasing the financial incentives for consumers to purchase electric vehicles and build charging stations to help make the use of these vehicles more practical. This would once again help wean the nation off of oil in the long term.

Regardless of what is done, one thing is clear: Many Livingston residents are watching their hard earned money be drained out of their pocket everytime they take a trip to the gas station.

Recently at a restaurant in town, a local contractor from a table nearby could be heard repeatedly instructing his workers on how to help the business cut down on the prices at the pump. "If the gas is $4 at one station, I want you to get only a gallon or two there and then finish fueling somewhere else that sells it cheaper."

While the state numbers certainly do not appear promising, the important question to ask is, "How has the average motorist fared at the pump, thus far, in Livingston?"

To answer this question we re-visited the very same gas stations that we monitored back in January and tracked the just how much more that gallon of gas sets you back in the two months that have gone by. Here is what we found:

Pricing Data:

As evident by our findings, it appears that the prices at many Livingston gas stations have increased at a rate that is in line with the state average. The average price increase for the six stations that we visited stands at 13.6 percent.

The Delta gas station on West Mount Pleasant Avenue saw the largest increase over the two month period (15.9%), yet still remained the least expensive option of the six stations we profiled. The Exxon station on East Northfield Road still remains the most expensive option out of our pool of stations with a price of $3.53 per gallon.

Only time will tell as to how high the gas prices will climb, yet it seems that some residents are preparing for the worst-case scenario. As one motorist put it, "With prices like these, it looks like I'll be taking a staycation this year."