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Louisville gas prices jump over 15 cents a gallon; here's why

Increases at the pump are common this time of year.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Editor's note: the above video is regarding comments Ford's CEO made last week about the future of production.

Gasoline prices in Louisville are shooting up, according to the latest numbers released Monday by GasBuddy.

The average price for a gallon of gas in the city rose 15.9 cents in the last week for an average of $3.11, according to GasBuddy's survey of 644 stations in Louisville. Prices are 18.7 cents higher than a month ago and 2 cents higher than a year ago.

The cheapest station in Louisville Sunday was priced at $2.82 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.49.

The national average increased 8.7 cents a gallon last week for an average of $3.26. The national average for diesel fuel stands at $4.09 -- up 10 cents from last week.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine’s is over, and gas prices are going anywhere but lower," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "With Valentine's Day now behind us, we have officially entered the time of year when gas prices traditionally start their spring fling, but we've already seen the streak of consecutive increases in the national average hit four weeks. While the early start could also mean an early end, we still have as many as eight weeks that gas prices typically increase, and anything can happen between now and then. 

"One of the most critical elements to how much gas prices will climb is how quickly and effectively refiners can finish their pre-summer maintenance, start producing EPA-mandated summer gasoline and build up supply of it before Memorial Day."

According to a CNN report, price increases this time of year are normal as demand increases and refineries must switch over to more expensive fuel.

However some of the reasons for the recent price jump are abnormal, including a weekslong shutdown of the BP-Whiting refinery in northwest Indiana. This has limited the available supply of gasoline.

The refinery has been down for over two weeks due to a power outage. According to AAA, the facility produces 435,000 barrels of crude per day.

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