PUBLIC MARKS from jasontromm with tag energy

Every few years, when geopolitics or other factors suddenly drive the cost of crude oil through the roof, industry insiders start looking to America's coastal waters for new supplies of oil and natural gas. It happened in the 1970s. It happened in the 1980s. It happened again last October, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita -- along with other factors -- conspired to push the price of a gallon of gasoline over three dollars for the first time.

The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose during the past two weeks due to federal regulations and a seasonal increase in demand, according to an industry analyst.