Seasonal refinery maintenance will slowly drive up the cost of gasoline on the West Coast while nationally costs sink, according to AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Refineries undergo maintenance around this time of year to start putting out winter-blend fuels, AAA said. Maintenance is taking place in at least three refineries in California. The West Coast is also said to be impacted by a power outage at a refinery in Torrance, Calif., that halted operations for several days.
This week, Vancouver gas prices rose to an average of $2.64, up from last week’s $2.61 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA. Washington prices average $2.73 per gallon, the third-highest in the nation after Hawaii, $2.89; and California; $2.78. Oregon, at $2.55 per gallon, ranked fifth.
The national average is $2.22 per gallon, up 2 cents from a month ago.
