We???ve never seen gas prices rise this high, this early in the year,??? Townsend said. ???In a time of extremely high gas prices, one of the tips we give people is: Use a rewards program.??? The average cost for a gallon of gas has risen 46 cents, or 14 percent, in the past month, because of shuttered refineries and decreased oil production in Saudi Arabia. ???Right now, we???re paying the highes