By Judy Reed

Customers waited in line at Admiral to get it at $3.77 while they still could. Post photo by B. Fitzgerald.

Problems at refineries, severe weather and a leak in a pipeline sent gas prices soaring Wednesday, in a rare 42-cent jump after Memorial Day weekend. Prices went from $3.77 in Cedar Springs Wednesday to $4.19—a jump of 42-cents. The price was $4.17 for unleaded Thursday morning.

The price per gallon later that same day.

According to Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, ExxonMobil in Joliet, Illinois again reported flaring over the weekend; Marathon in Robinson, Illinois is restarting after severe weather; and Citgo in Lemont, Illinois reported a boiler glitch over the weekend. In addition, TransCanada shut down its pipeline from Alberta to the Midwest after a small leak, and has no estimated time on repair. Enbridge also had a problem with their pipeline from Canada to the Midwest after pumping stations lost power due to severe weather.

Some gas stations around the area kept their price at $3.77 for most of the day Wednesday to attract customers. Cars were lined up out into the street waiting to get gas at the Admiral station here in Cedar Springs.