These gas prices on the rise? They are about the same as a year ago in the Lehigh Valley.

On Wednesday, the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Lehigh Valley had increased by 5 cents, or 1.8%, in one week and by nearly 21 cents, or 7.8% , in one month, according to AAA.

According to AAA, this is the refinery maintenance season and the local price per gallon is only 2 cents higher than it was a year ago.

According to AAA, the refinery maintenance season has experienced unexpected difficulties on the road, which has led to higher prices at the pump as the nation settles in the spring.

Nationally, gasoline prices rose 28 cents, demand continued and inventories continued to tighten, according to AAA's analysis.

"Gas prices are rising in the country, but these changes vary from one region to another," said AAA spokeswoman Jeanette Casselano in a statement released on Monday. "During the week, West Coast, Rocky Mountain, Great Lakes, and Central drivers recorded one of the strongest weekly increases, while prices, mainly in the eastern Mississippi , have recorded more moderate increases. "

Total refinery utilization in Canada – a measure of the amount of crude oil and other raw materials used by refineries to produce gasoline and miscellaneous products – fell to 86.4% last week. According to AAA, this represents a 93% decrease at the same time last year, citing figures from the Energy Information Administration.

"The difference from one year to the next underscores the impact of unplanned refinery maintenance on markets across the country … which has resulted in a contraction in the production of oil and gas. gasoline, "said AAA last week. "Until the refineries resume their normal operations, which will take a few weeks, US motorists should expect pump prices to continue to rise while the demand for fuel is down." 39, gasoline increases. "

For the 2019 summer driving season, which runs from April to September, the federal Energy Information Administration announced Tuesday that retail gasoline prices in the United States would average $ 2.76 per gallon, up from $ 2. $ 85 last summer.

Kurt Bresswein can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.