Gas Prices Won't Fall for Long

WASHINGTON -- Don't get too excited about the falling gas prices in the Washington area and around the country. The Energy Information Administration says prices will start to climb back up in March.

This week's national average for regular unleaded reflects a drop of six-cents to $2.28. The EIA says crude oil prices have dropped about 21-cents over the first two weeks of this month, and it takes at least a week for that to get to the pumps.

But the agency projects prices will start to head back up around the beginning of next month because supply will drop. The EIA says that's because some oil refineries will shut down for maintenance.

Also, prices traditionally rise in the spring and summer as people drive more.

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