Refinery problems, spill drive up Great Lakes gas

Madison (AP) — A rare combination of troubles is driving up gas prices in the Great Lakes region.

GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said Friday that several Great Lakes states had seen prices surge about 40 cents a gallon in the past week. That follows a pipeline rupture and shutdown in Wisconsin and equipment problems at refineries in Indiana and Illinois.

Illinois has experienced the biggest price jump, from a statewide average of $3.61 a week ago to $4.05 on Friday.

DeHaan said the confluence of incidents was unusual and created fears of a shortage that spooked the gas market. But he said it typically took only a week or so to make refinery repairs, and prices should begin to drop during the next few weeks.