(RALEIGH) -- The average price of gas in North Carolina has remained flat over the last week with a gallon of regular holding steady at $3.76 but the price at the pump is nearly a dollar a gallon higher than it was a year ago. Thomas Pyle, President of The Institute for Energy Research said speculation on the crude oil market is only one source of pressure on gas prices.

"It is also based on that supply and demand equation and what's happening in the United States is, the third largest producer in the world, us, has basically embarked on a program to stop drilling for oil.  If that doesn't send a signal to the global marketplace, I don't know what else does," said Pyle.

It should be noted that The Institute for Energy Research has pushed hard for increased drilling in the United State. The organization has also been against past moratoriums placed on drilling.