Despite the surge in gas prices in the last few weeks, gas stations are busy as normal.

“Nothing has changed; people are just complaining more,” said Ann Graf, assistant manager for the BP Gas Station at 1102 N. First St.

Bill White , owner of Car Hospital, 303 N. Seventh St., said gas prices are not expensive if looking at the increase in relation to inflation.

When so much of something is needed, the product seems expensive, he said.

No matter what the cost of gas is, people will continue to buy it because people need gas, White said.

Aside from inflation, gas prices are increasing because the Environmental Protection Agency is changing refining methods, he said.

The EPA is working on improving refining methods to make sure gas burns cleaner,

Refining is the process used to convert oil into gas.

Janel Brown, an NIU student-at-large working toward a master’s degree in music therapy, goes to Chicago every weekend. Brown is part of a contemporary dance theater group, the Baltimore Chicago, which holds rehearsals twice a week.

Brown said she fills her tank every week and spends about $120 a month on gas.

Her weekly trips to Chicago are about two hours long and require half a tank of gas.

She said she hopes prices will go down, but does not expect prices to go down drastically.

For those overwhelmed by the price of gas, a hybrid car is a possible solution.

University Police uses two hybrid Toyota Priuses and one Ford Crown Victoria.

In July, $171.77 was spent on gas for each Prius and $243.73 was spent on the Ford Crown Victoria. This reflects about a $72 difference.

Bill Finucane, the NIU transportation manager, said while the Ford gets 10 miles per gallon, the Prius gets 38 mpg.

NIU has a contract with Petroleum Traders of Fort Wayne, Ind. NIU pays $1.95 a gallon for gas under that contract. The contract is in effect until July 2006.

In the next year, the Ford Crown Victoria will be replaced by a hybrid and the Ford Expedition SUV used by officers will be replaced with a hybrid SUV.

Finucane said the worldwide demand for gas increased, so gas prices have increased. However, Finucane said he expects prices to decrease after Labor Day because the demand will decrease.

Gas Saving Tips

● Keep car fluids clean.

● Conduct a flush of the fuel injector annually.

● Make sure tires have proper air pressure, between 30 and 35 psi.

source: Bill White of Car Hospital