CAMARILLO, CA -- The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has increased 18 cents over the past two weeks.
The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices puts the average price for a gallon of regular at $3.69, about 8 cents higher than the same time last year.
Nationally, a gallon of mid-grade averages $3.84 and premium $3.96.
Analyst Trilby Lundberg attributes the increase to the high cost of crude as well as the partial loss of production at a refinery in Northern California.
There was a fire and explosion at the refinery owned by Chevron, Monday.Federal investigators say a corroded pipe could be the cause of a massive fire at an oil refinery.
Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board tell The Associated Press that an inspection last November led Chevron to replace an old pipe at the Richmond refinery that was connected to the one that failed.
Smoke from the fire caused thousands to seek medical attention for health issues.