n case there is a flare-up of tensions in the Middle East, a pipeline explosion or some other unforeseen calamity that drives up oil prices, he said. Iran has topped the list of major concerns among oil traders this year. It's helped push benchmark oil about $10 per barrel higher since January. If tensions ease between Iran and the West, expect oil prices to fall by $15 or more per barrel, Schork said. Gasoline prices would likely come down, too. The national average for gasoline has jumped by 19 percent since the beginning of 2012 to the highest levels ever for this time of year. Pump prices continued to rise Friday,toms shoes reviews, adding nearly a penny to $3.89 per gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. Experts predict the national average could peak in April, rising as high as $4.25 per gallon. Gasoline already is above $4 per gallon in nine states and Washington, D.C. In other energy trading, heating oil futures added 3 cents per gallon to finish at $3.21 and gasoline rose 5 cents to end at $3.39 per gallon. Natural gas futures rose less than a penny to finish at $2.28 per 1,cheap toms shoes sale,000 cubic feet. ___ Follow Chris Kahn on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ChrisKahnAP Copyright 2012 The Associated Press,http://www.jkbbs.cn/plus/view.php?aid=87270. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ. An insider's guide to politics and policy, available on the iPad or as a PDF download.
LOS ANGELES (AP) California Gov. Jerry Brown says a $120 million settlement with NRG Energy Inc. will fund a statewide network of electric-car charging stations. The settlement announced Friday stems from claims against NRG's predecessor company, Dynegy, involving costs of long-term power contracts signed during California's energy crisis a decade ago. The governor says the money will fund at least 200 public fast-charging stations and another 10,toms shoes discount,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations statewide. Brown also says he's signed an executive order laying the foundation for an anticipated 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California's roads by 2025. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,http://www.honkcity.com/bbs/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=351879, rewritten or redistributed. Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity,http://bbs.so161.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=508565. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ. An insider's guide to politics and policy, available on the iPad or as a PDF download.
By COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press ROME (AP) Premier Mario Monti's government on Friday approved a long-awaited package of labor reforms, refusing to bend to union opposition and insisting the new rules will create a more flexible and inclusive labor market. The measures are the third major initiative by Monti's government of technocrats since it took office in November charged with overhauling the stagnant Italian economy to promote growth and reduce its national debt of a