Michigan is suffering from gas pain and is looking for a little relief.
Frank Witsil of the Detroit Free Press reports that gas prices in Michigan are the highest in the country besides Hawaii.
Experts are blaiming underperforming refineries throughout the Midwest. Consumers often appear skeptical when seeing the sudden spikes.
The Freep writes:
While gas prices are trending down elsewhere, Michigan’s average prices shot up Monday to $4.10 a gallon, 23 cents higher than a week ago, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Nationally, prices held steady at $3.62 a gallon, down a penny from a week ago.
The Freep writes that analysts say prices could continue to climb before they fall.
“The Midwest refineries are plagued with problems,” Phil Flynn, chief energy analyst with the Price Future Group in Chicago told the paper “While the rest of the country is swimming in supply, the Midwest is seeing 22-year lows of supply. We can’t seem to get a break.”
The Freep also writes:
Michigan was especially hard hit this weekend because it depends on aging Midwest refineries that have had problems this year. However, unlike other Midwest states, which also had higher prices, Michigan doesn’t have as many other refinery and pipeline options, one analyst said.
