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AAA: Seasonal Fuel Swap, Refinery Maintenance, Drive Up Gas Prices

Mike Mozart
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After Utah, Oregon is seeing one of the highest jumps in gas prices over the past month.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, production and maintenance costs are behind the boost.  

AAA spokesman Matthew Conde says the national average is currently at $ 2.29 cents per gallon, while Oregon’s is at $2.68.  That’s an increase of sixteen cents in the past month.

“And Oregon’s prices went up mostly due to getting out ahead of the game with summer blend fuel, and catching up on some much needed maintenance at several refineries," explains Conde.  "Two refineries in Washington and one in California, (which) slowed down the supply.

"And when that happens, it definitely has an impact.”  

Summer blend fuel is simply gas that’s treated with additives to keep it from evaporating in the hotter temperatures.

Credit RVwithTito / Flickr.com
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Conde says he expects to see 30 percent more refinery maintenance nationwide from last year. 

Copyright 2017, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.