Gasoline prices rose to a near four-month high in the U.S. Tuesday, fueled by a number of refinery closures.
(Read More: Refinery Closures Send Gas Prices to Near 4-Month High)
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The Automobile Association of America reported that national retail prices for regular gasoline are up 13 percent to an average $3.748 a gallon from a month ago, up from $3.604 a week ago and up 5 percent from the same period a year ago.
About one million barrels per day of refining capacity has been taken off line on the East Coast and St. Croix, as the industry responds to low margins and shrinking demand. In January, Hess announced plans to close its Port Reading, N.J., refinery, while refinery shutdowns and planned repairs have cut into gasoline supplies in many parts of the country.
(Read More: As Gasoline Prices Rise, Traders Bet Rally Continues)
Inventories have also been constrained by refinery closures and mechanical problems that occurred in the wake of super storm Sandy.
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