Penn State students who plan to do some driving when classes end next month can expect to encounter high gas prices.

Earlier this week, the Energy Information Administration projected the summer average for pump prices will be $1.46 for a gallon of regular, the third-highest on record.

"Gas prices normally increase over the summer," said Charles Guyer, manager of State College Texaco South,1310 S. Atherton St.

Although price increases during the summer months are a normal occurrence, the conflict in the Middle East might be a contributing factor to the price hikes, because much of the United States' fuel supply comes from the Middle East.

President Saddam Hussein recently announced Iraq will cut its oil exports for one month to protest Israel's military offensive in the West Bank.

While Iraqi oil comprises just 4 percent of the international supply, Republican Senators are pushing a proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northern Alaska.

Republicans argue that the Iraqi embargo and rising gasoline prices are reasons why the United States needs to explore other energy options that will reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

Opponents of the proposal say drilling ANWR is not worth the damage to the environment.

What needs to be considered when discussing the possibility of drilling ANWR is wants versus needs, said Richard Alley, professor of geosciences.

"If we could eliminate the need for imported oil by drilling at ANWR, that would be one thing," Alley said. "But drilling at ANWR won't greatly change the equation." Relative to the United States fuel usage, the amount of oil in ANWR is minute, Alley explained. Even if the United States did drill ANWR, it would still be necessary to import the majority of its oil, he added.

The prospects of drilling ANWR in the near future are dismal because Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, says he has the votes needed to kill the proposal.

Despite the federal concerns about the escalating fuel prices, Guyer said he doesn't believe that the higher prices will affect the local fuel business. "This area is not hit by the economy as much as other areas because of the University," he said. "People drive in and out of town all year and they need to buy gas."

In the course of the past month the price of regular unleaded gasoline has increased about 10 cents to $1.33 per gallon at Texaco South, Guyer added.

Kristen Salvia (sophomore-human development and family studies) said she will try to cut back on the amount of driving she does this summer if gasoline prices are as high as expected.

"If I absolutely have to get somewhere, I will buy the same amount of gas," she said. "I have to drive to go anywhere in my town so I may have no choice but to continue to buy gas regardless of the price."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.