KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — The average price for a gallon of gas in Kalamazoo spiked 21 cents early Friday to $2.35.
GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said he was expecting the increase.
“It was just a price hike that happened just a few days before it should have, and that’s because wholesale prices went up a little bit on Tuesday and Wednesday,” DeHaan said.
He credits that to reduced output at refineries, in part because of ongoing maintenance.
“The Energy Information Administration said there’s never been more maintenance all at the same time, and refinery utilization has hit its lowest level ever recorded,” DeHaan said.
DeHaan said lower crude oil prices will help ease pain at the pump over the next few days.
– Anthony Pollreisz
