Gasoline prices in Green Bay, Appleton spike in last week; severe weather blamed

The average gasoline prices in Green Bay and Appleton have increased more than 17 cents a gallon within the last week, according to GasBuddy.

In Green Bay, prices are up 17.4 cents per gallon, with an average of $3.38, according to the latest GasBuddy survey featuring 127 stations in the city. That is 13.4 cents higher than in June, and 2.2 cents more than last year.

Meanwhile in Appleton, the average price is currently $3.39 per gallon, up 20 cents from last week's $3.19. Last year at this time, gas was at $3.28 per gallon, according to AAA, an increase in 11 cents.

"Most of the country has seen a reprieve from rising gasoline prices, thanks to weaker-than-expected gasoline demand, building supplies and a quiet period in the tropics," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

The gas price increase is likely due to severe weather knocking out power from a major oil refinery in Chicago that affected supply to Midwest states like Wisconsin, De Haan said in a news release.

"We've often said how critical refineries are, and with a long power outage, we're seeing the impact very quickly, but relief will eventually arrive," De Haan said. "For now, as we approach the end of summer vacations, I'm hopeful gas prices will continue to edge slightly lower in the week ahead."

The study claims that the cheapest station yesterday in Green Bay was priced at $3.10 per gallon at Costco and Woodman's, with the most expensive station being priced at $3.44 per gallon.

In Appleton, the cheapest was $3.09 at both Costco and Woodman's.

The average per-gallon price in the state is $3.44, with the national average at $3.50 on Monday, according to AAA. Green Bay's average today is at $3.40.

Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@gannett.com