Gas prices in Bucks County and nationwide are on the rise, but they still remain significantly under what they were last summer when a gallon of gas in the region cost $4.51 on average, writes Liam Price for the Philly Burbs.

Monday’s average prices were five percent higher than last week and six percent higher than a month ago. They ranged from $3.70 at the Riggins in Bensalem to $3.96 at many gas stations in Quakertown.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jana Tidwell, demand is not the issue, as it “remains tepid” and lower than at the same time in the last two years.

Instead, it is the scorching hot temperatures that are causing problems for the oil refineries that make usable products like gasoline from oil.

“We are seeing refiners in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and some other states struggle to run anywhere near at maximum rates,” said global head of energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service, Tom Kloza. “Petroleum engineers can tell you that when ambient temperatures get to the 100-degree neighborhood, it is difficult to run at maximum levels.”

Read more about gas prices in the Philly Burbs.

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