Refinery problems and short-term market factors related to Hurricane Matthew mean more delays for seasonal trends toward lower gasoline prices. Photo by Oskari Porkka/Shutterstock Refinery issues and problems associated with Hurricane Matthew pulled the national average consumer price for gas up even as motor club AAA said demand dropped. AAA reports a national average retail price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at $2.25, only slightly more than one week ago, but about 4 percent, or 7 cents per gallon, more expensive than one month ago. In mid-September, refineries in the United States start shifting to a winter blend of gasoline, which is less expensive to make because there are fewer environmental safeguards needed in cooler months. After the Labor Day holiday, consumer demand drops off and those two factors tend to pull gasoline prices lower . AAA said Hurricane Matthew, which left hundreds of people dead in […]