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    on the up-and-up

    A dime away: With gas prices rising more than six cents in a week, the all-timerecord is inevitable

    Tyler Rudick
    Mar 26, 2012 | 1:33 pm

    Brace yourselves . . . Houston gas prices could be on the verge of breaking record levels this spring.

    According to online fuel reporting group GasBuddy, averages for Monday are at $3.84 — up 31 cents from this time a month ago and up 6.5 cents since last Monday, March 19. At the moment, the city is only about dime away from reaching the $3.94 all-time high that GasBuddy recorded in July 2008.

    As political instability in the Middle East keeps crude oil prices above $100 a barrel, normal springtime spikes in fuel could easily bump Houston into record-setting territory.

    "Prices go up like clockwork at this time," petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski said. "Federal regulations call for additives that allow gas to burn cleaner during the summer . . . The extra cost is passed onto the consumer."

    CultureMap talked to GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski to get a clearer picture on the expected increases.

    "Prices go up like clockwork at this time every year," Laskoski said. "Federal regulations call for additives that allow gas to burn cleaner during the summer when demand is at its highest."

    Each spring, he says, United States refineries simultaneously halt operations to flush out dirtier winter blends and alter operations to create lower-emission summer blends.

    "All 150 refineries across the country do this at the same time," Laskoski continued, noting that these temporary closures are often used for maintenance as well. "The extra cost is passed onto the consumer."

    While Houston remains vulnerable to hurricanes throughout the late summer and fall, the area's high number of refineries generally keeps spring upticks lower than the rest of the nation.

    Using data collected over the past seven years, Laskoski forecasts that national average will reach a high of $4.18 at some point in 2012. But as tensions continue between Iran and Israel, all bets are off. The specter of $5 and even $6 gas is still very much in play.

    "What's significant this year is the presidential election and the threat of war in the Middle East," he said, feeling that if anything happens before the November elections, Barack Obama will join Israel in military involvement.

    "Until we know the answer about what will happen in the Middle East," Laskoski said, "we simply cannot expect prices of crude to come down."

    For now, we can expect prices to rise in the spring. Any drastic increases beyond that will depend on global politics.

    unspecified
    news/city-life

    most read posts

    Houston chef Tristen Epps dishes on his Top Chef victory — and what's next

    Houston's pioneering South American steakhouse will soon shutter in River Oaks

    Intimate Houston cocktail lounge adds European-inspired outdoor patio

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    Houston billionaire ranks among top U.S. landowners and more popular stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Jun 14, 2025 | 11:01 am
    HMNS Great Outdoors Gala 2022 Russell and Glenda Gordy and Red FJ Cruiser
    Photo by Jenny Antill
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including a look at one of America's top landowners. Plus, the sad closure of a pioneering steakhouse and a popular pizzeria makes plans for Houston. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then head here to plan your weekend.

    1. Houston oil-and-gas billionaire ranks among America's top 100 landowners. About one-fourth of the country’s mega-owners of private land have ties to Texas, either living here, owning land here, or both. The highest-ranked Houston-based landowner is oil-and-gas billionaire Russell Gordy.

    2. Houston's pioneering South American steakhouse will soon shutter in River Oaks. Sad news for inner loopers who are fans of plantain chips, wood-grilled steaks, and Houston’s best tres leches. The River Oaks location of South American steakhouse Churrascos will close Monday, June 16.

    3. Texas Monthly's BBQ Snob dishes on the magazine's new top 50 list. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn joins CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the magazine’s new list of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas.

    4. 'Famous' Bronx-based pizza chain fires up 3 Houston locations. A New York-based pizza chain has big plans for Houston. Called Singas Famous Pizza, the restaurant will soon open three locations in the area.

    Singas PizzaSingas Pizza is coming to Houston.Photo courtesy of Singas

    5. Texas slides down the list of best U.S. state economies for 2025. Texas' robust economy may be showing some cracks. Texas now ranks as the state with the eighth best economy, four spots lower than one year ago, according to a new report.

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