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Why Are Local Gas Prices Higher Than Nat'l Average?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's not the kind of news motorists want to hear at the start of the Labor Day weekend: gas prices are high everywhere, but especially in the Twin Cities.

The national average right now is around $3.65 a gallon but it's considerably higher in the Twin Cities.

"We are about 20 cents ahead of the U.S. average and it has been that way for a couple of weeks," said Gail Weinholzer of the Minneapolis-area AAA.

Weinholzer says the reason for the higher local prices is that refineries in Illinois have scaled back capacity while fixing mechanical problems.

"And hopefully we'll see some relief after Labor Day."

Prices generally go down after Labor Day anyway, with the summer vacation driving season ending and refineries switching to a cheaper winter grade gas.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports

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