Serious question - why did gas prices in the US rise so suddenly today

[malaise]

Does it have anything to do with that explosion in China? I am not aware of a connection but it does appear to be a rather strange coincidence.

[Sherman A1]

1. my understanding is that they dropped

although local gas prices jumped 20 cents.

[malaise]

2. I reworded because it is US gas prices that rose

[meaculpa2011]

3. I filled up today at $2.47...

and last week it was $2.65.

[malaise]

5. ABC was talking about big increases in Chicago n/t

[matt819]

15. Big variations in New England

Today

Massachusetts gas is $2.33 and diesel $2.99

New Hampshire gas is $2.49 and diesel is $2.59

[BlueSpot]

4. BP Whiting refinery outage

[link:http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2015/08/13/BPs-Whiting-refinery-handicapped-for-several-weeks/4731439461249/|

[malaise]

6. OK so it's gas in the Great Lakes area

ABC said it was over $3.00 and change in Chicago. Mere coincidence - thanks

[etherealtruth]

17. Same in Detroit

[Stellar]

9. Chicago, prices went up in some places .50 cents a gallon over night.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/transit/Gas-Prices-Could-Rise-Across-Midwest-After-Reported-BP-Refinery-Issue-321533691.html

Gas Prices Could Rise Across Midwest After Reported BP Refinery Issue

[BlueStateLib]

7. cnbc

Gasoline prices across the Midwest spiked an average of 20 cents or more per gallon overnight, after the outage at BP's Whiting refinery in Indiana sent prices in the wholesale spot market skyrocketing this week. More of that price shock should filter through to gas stations in states from Ohio and Kentucky to Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/13/ouch-gasoline-prices-are-spiking-in-these-states.html

[Xolodno]

8. Collusion is illegal...

...with that said, an Econ Professor once stated in class...

CEO's of Chevron, Exxon, Shell, etc. all play golf together. The Shell CEO, right before his putt says "I think the cost of gasoline should go up two cents". Next week, the cost of gas goes up two cents across all companies.

[yeoman6987]

22. Good thing it isn't that then

It is because of maintenance on a refinery in the Midwest. It will be a few months of higher fuel costs till done with maintenance.

[Stuart G]

10. This is because of a partial shut down of a refinery in Indiana.

BPs largest refinery had one of three petroleum distillation units shut down. The other two are ok and are still producing gasoline.
Gas prices at first went up a dollar a gallon here, but lessened as it became clear that the refinery was not completely shut down, just one third. Gas stations are quick to raise prices, and very slow to lower them...that is my opinion only

[malaise]

12. That's gas stations everywhere

Where I am they only lower prices after public outcries.

[Hekate]

11. My admittedly cynical answer is always: Because they can. nt

[Rybak187]

13. Here in in Michigan it went from 2.38 a gallon to 2.99 over two day.

[etherealtruth]

19. it was 2.99 on my way to work this morning, it looked like it was alittle over $3 this afternoon

Oakland and Macomb Counties

[irisblue]

14. price up like rocket, down like feather

collusion?

[onecaliberal]

16. 3.30 in California. Been there for a while

[pnwmom]

18. Because they could. n/t

[Lancero]

20. 2.18 last I saw here in Arkansas.

Though that might be because the station either had or hadn't changed its prices yet. Gasbuddy shows other stations in my area charging 2.25 to 2.40.

Speaking of that, here's a nice little website for tracking current gas prices - www.gasbuddy.com

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. They did not rise in our area.

gasbuddy.com