Refinery problems, spill drive up gas prices in Great Lakes region

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MADISON, Wis. — A rare combination of pipeline and refinery problems has exacerbated already rising gas prices in the Great Lakes region, leading to surges of about 35 cents per gallon in just a week.

A Wisconsin pipeline shutdown and equipment problems at Indiana and Illinois refineries helped boost the region's price increases well above average.

AAA says Michigan's statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded rose 34 cents over the past week to $3.95 Friday, making it the highest per-gallon average in the continental U.S.

Illinois and Indiana have seen a 33-cent average jump during the last seven days, while Ohio's average is up 30 cents and Wisconsin's is up 26 cents.

The national average price for a gallon of unleaded, meanwhile, moved up just 8 cents to $3.56.