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March 14, 2008
Aloha! The price for regular unleaded in paradise nears $4 a gallon
NEW YORK -- The rally in energy prices gained momentum Friday, with retail gas prices rising further into record territory and diesel and heating oil futures setting records of their own amid concerns about strong global demand and tight supplies, according to the Associated Press.
Crude oil prices fell modestly as a downturn in the stock market and worries about the economy prompted some profit-taking. But with the Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates again next week, analysts expect the dollar to weaken further, propelling crude to new records.
At the pump, gas prices set records for the 4th straight day, rising 1.3 cents Friday to a national average price of $3.28 a gallon, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Average prices are nearing $4 in some parts of Hawaii.
Diesel, meanwhile, rose 2.9 cents to a new record national average of $3.938 a gallon. Heating oil, a fellow distillate and close cousin of diesel, jumped to new records on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Diesel, used by trucks, trains and ships, is used to move the vast majority of the world's goods. While the U.S. economy appears to be slowing, the global economy continues to grow.
"Demand for diesel worldwide has been incredible," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Alaron Trading Corp., in Chicago.
April heating oil futures rose 6.43 cents to $3.1891 a gallon after earlier setting a new trading record of $3.222 a gallon.
Oil prices fell for a change Friday, following stocks lower after Bear Stearns Cos. acknowledged serious financial problems, and the Federal Reserve and JPMorgan Chase & Co. said they were working on a bailout.
Light, sweet crude for April delivery fell 39 cents to $109.94 on the Nymex Friday after rising earlier to within pennies of its latest trading record of $111, set Thursday.
Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth 
at 11:45 AM to Gas prices
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