Gas prices rise quickly

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Gas prices have risen about 13 percent since the beginning of this month.

Experts said there are two main causes. The EPA changes the grade of fuel twice a year to help the fuel burn cleaner. Typically, that happens in the fall and spring.

Another reason gas prices are higher is because crude oil has jumped from $70 to 80 a barrel. Crude oil is priced in dollars and the U.S. dollar is very weak right now.

Some experts the dollar is weaker because of our country's massive trade deficit.

"Every time we buy a flat screen TV a notebook computer that was manufactured some place else that we have to take our dollars and convert them into something else in order to buy them," economist Dr. Robert Guell said.

The United States had to borrow a lot of money and faces a $1.4 trillion deficit this year alone.