Summer Fuel Switch Leads to Higher Gas Prices

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Notice a significant price jump at the gas pumps?

Anderson has seen prices increase by more than 20 center per gallon in the last two weeks, as refineries begin the transition to the summer blend of fuel.

Stations offer a different blend of gas in the summer which is more expensive to refine, but offers other benefits. The summer-grade fuel is better for the environment and is the result of a Environmental Protection Agency’s Reformulated Gas Program of 1995. -The program requires gas stations to carry the summer-grade fuel to reduce pollution and smog output during the summer ozone season.

The summer fuel burns cleaner through the use of fuel additives which produce less pollution.

Refineries are forced to shut down each year, however, to make the switch to the summer gasoline, which adds to increased costs at the pump.