By Alex Degman/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – This may sound familiar – the Midwest could see a spike in gas prices over the next few weeks due to refinery maintenance.

Ten Midwestern refineries are going through scheduled maintenance, including three in Illinois. Patrick DeHaan of gasbuddy.com estimates this could lead to a temporary ten cent spike on average across the region. He also says the blow to consumers was unavoidable.

“Refineries can’t talk to each other in regards to when they’re going down for maintenance,” DeHaan said, responding to a question of why refineries couldn’t plan further in advance to avoid increased costs to consumers. “That would be strictly forbidden, so you can have times when this happens. A lot of refineries are planning maintenance around the same time, it’s just one of those issues.”

This news comes just a few days after the AAA Chicago Motor Club reported declining Illinois gas prices through September due, in part, to a switch to the cheaper winter blend.

DeHaan says the 10 cent prediction is an average estimate, local markets will likely vary.

Including the three refineries in Illinois undergoing maintenance, DeHaan says one in Kentucky, two in Minnesota, one in Kansas and three in Ohio are also getting into the act.