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Klobuchar Seeks Energy Dept. Help Over High Gas Prices

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As gas prices in Minnesota reached record high prices of about $4 per gallon, Sen. Amy Klobuchar called on the Department of Energy to take action.

The gas price spike came after the closure of oil refineries in the Midwest for maintenance, including two large refineries in the Chicago area.

AAA's Gail Weinholzer said we will not see any relief in prices at the pump before mid-June and there's a chance we won't see any significant relief before the Fourth of July.

On Thursday, Klobuchar penned a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

"This spike in gas prices is hurting families, businesses and farmers across Minnesota and disrupting commerce," Klobuchar said. "Scheduled maintenance at refineries should not be allowed to cause such major disruptions in supply. That's why I have called on the Department of Energy to thoroughly review the closures and the timing of maintenance operations and take action to prevent future supply problems that cause consumers pain at the pump."

AAA said only California, Hawaii and Alaska have a higher average price currently than Minnesota.

Klobuchar requested the energy department examine the timing of the refinery closures to "prevent future supply shocks."

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