(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While the national average cost of a gallon of gas is on the rise, one industry observer said you shouldn’t expect a more expensive trip to the pump locally.
The rise comes as Colonial Pipeline, which delivers nearly half of the East Coast’s fuel, was forced to shut down operations following an apparent cyberattack.
“This is not so much of a pricing issue because refineries keep turning out gasoline. It’s a delivery issue, and that’s going to affect the states in the Southeast served by the Colonial Pipeline,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, said.
“Overall, this is something that motorists here are somewhat insulated from.”
Average gas prices have grown slightly in the Chicago area to $3.30 a gallon, and that number nationwide is nearing the $3 mark.
“If we hit $3, it’s going to be something — the first time we’ve seen the national average over $3 since October of 2014,” DeHaan said.
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