Here's why gas prices are so high right now

Hurricane Harvey is causing a spike in North Carolina's gas prices.

On Sept. 5, the statewide average price for regular unleaded gas was $2.62 per gallon— the highest average seen in two years. Prices spiked near $2.70 per gallon over Labor Day weekend. 

Kate Sorgi, a UNC sophomore public policy major, noticed the price increase right away.

“I always look at gas prices when I’m driving, and when I saw how much it was going up I was stressed,” she said. “I drive a lot, and it’s harder for me to afford to put in a full tank now.”

Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, said this is the time of year when gas prices start to decline because of a decrease in demand and a switch to a less expensive winter blend of fuel.

“Unfortunately, the effects from Hurricane Harvey will slow this process,” she said. 

A press release from AAA said there is not a large risk of a gas shortage: the biggest issue is transporting the gasoline from Texas and distributing it to the Southeast.

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency Aug. 31, which lifted certain restrictions on drivers who were transporting gasoline and providing emergency relief to Texas and Louisiana. 

Cooper said in the executive order that lifting these restrictions would make it easier to deliver gas within the state and would limit the risk of shortages.

The N.C. Department of Justice is also encouraging drivers to watch out for price gouging. N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein enacted a price gouging law which will prevent gas being sold at an unreasonable price for the next 45 days.

The Colonial Pipeline Co. announced in a press release Monday that its pipeline in the Houston area was operating again and that this should cause the distribution of gas to return to normal.

“We have been working diligently and expeditiously to complete the repair work and restore service following Hurricane Harvey and the unprecedented flooding in the Gulf Coast last week,” the press release said. “Colonial is working closely with our customers to manage product shipments.”

Wright said because of the threat of Hurricane Irma, gas prices in North and South Carolina may remain higher than average until the end of September.

“AAA will continue to monitor Irma’s path and the potential impact the hurricane could have on Carolinians, as well as the refineries, pipelines and distribution,” she said.

Sorgi said it’s important to remember the destruction in Texas and Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

“One of our biggest concerns is having to pay a little extra for gas, but the actual damage has been so traumatizing,” she said. “It’s sad.”

state@dailytarheel.com