AAA Carolinas is reporting a big spike in gas prices for North Carolina motorists over the past month. George Olsen has more.
The Charlotte-based motor club says gas prices rose 15 cents over the last month, from an average of $3.38 on March 8 to $3.53 on Tuesday. That’s the highest average price in the state since July 27, 2013 when the price was $3.54. The current price is also 22 cents higher than at the start of the year when prices averaged $3.31, though well below last year’s peak of $3.80. AAA Carolinas president and CEO David E. Parsons says the recent rise in prices can be attributed to refinery maintenance that typically occurs in the spring which tightens supplies. Prices are expected to continue upward until that maintenance is complete by the end of the month. I’m George Olsen.