MT gas prices going up, still below natl average

  HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- Gas prices in Montana have been increasing over the
past week, but AAA Montana says they're still well behind the national average.
   AAA's fuel gauge report says the average price of a gallon of regular gasolin
e in Montana was $3.13 on Monday, which is 44 cents below the national
average of $3.57.
   AAA spokeswoman Tara Hanely says Montana is generally slow to follow the
national trend.
   Surrounding states also have lower prices than the rest of the country,
including Wyoming at $3.05, Colorado at $3.08 and Utah at $3.11.
   AAA says escalating tensions with Iran, economic instability in Europe and a
disruption in crude oil distribution are factors in the increased price of gasoline,
along with the fact that lagging demand has refineries planning to cut back
 production.
   AP-WF-02-21-12 1529GMT