The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose Friday for the 12th consecutive day, increasing 1.5 cents to $3.044. The average price is 7.1 cents more than a week ago, 5.6 cents more than a month ago and 81 cents more than this time last year, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. “California gas prices are sharply increasing about a week after the rest of the country,” Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of Southern California said. “Oil industry analysts are pointing to the fact that spring typically brings an increase in gas prices due to production of the `summer blend’ of fuel that is required to be sold in all California gas stations beginning each April. Also, crude oil is now trading consistently at more than $80 a barrel, an indication that gasoline demand could strengthen this year.”

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