By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices may go up in some parts of the country as a result of the hacking that caused a pipeline shutdown out east, but locally that's not what is causing prices to go up.
"It's something that we've definitely been monitoring," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "With the partial shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline due to the hacking situation last Friday, we do anticipate there may be some price increases and some shortages in certain areas of the country that are served by that pipeline. Primarily, that's in the southeast and along the East Coast. Other areas of the country, we think will see very little impact."
The things that impact prices traditionally in normal years are having more of an effect here.
"This is a time when demand for gasoline is increasing," Steward said. "That's why we've been seeing the price increases fairly steady over the last several weeks and that continues into this week."
The statewide average as of Wednesday morning is $2.84 per gallon. The Reno County average is $2.78.
"A year ago, we were in the middle of pandemic shutdowns and a lot of activity really slowing down in terms of commerce and in terms of travel," Steward said. "A year ago, we were at $1.50."
It's likely we'll continue to see prices go up whether or not the pipeline issue is resolved, just because of the demand increases and the additional cost to produce summer blend gasoline.