Gas prices jump at area stations

COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Not surprisingly, gas prices jumped 15 cents to as much as 30 cents per gallon before this weekend with drivers headed out to see the fall colors in Branch County and Southwest Michigan. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan was expecting the increase, saying it happened just a few days before it otherwise would have because wholesale prices went up a little bit on Tuesday and Wednesday. He credits that to reduced output at refineries, in part because of ongoing maintenance. The Energy Information Administration said there’s never been more maintenance all at the same time and refinery utilization has hit its lowest level ever recorded. DeHaan says lower crude oil prices will help ease pain at the pump over the next few days.