Peoria-area gas prices rise again this week, according to two agencies. Here’s why, according to one of them

PEORIA, Ill. – Gas prices in the Peoria area have risen again.

Both GasBuddy.com and AAA say their averages have increased about nine cents a gallon in the last week in their local regions.

AAA’s is at $3.79, while GasBuddy’s is at $3.77. AAA’s average rose a nickel in just one day.

The state and national average prices, according to GasBuddy, rose over the last week. That agency says some heat-related refinery outages, combined with surging oil prices, are to blame.

Among the reasons for higher oil prices are releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve coming to an end, coupled with Saudi Arabian supply cuts, according to GasBuddy.