Gas prices spike as refineries remain shut
NEW YORK — Gas prices hit a high for the year on Labor Day as the effects of Harvey continued to shut in refineries and infrastructure to transport the fuel.
As of Monday the nationwide price for a gallon of regular gas averaged $2.638, according to the drivers' association AAA. That's up from $2.45 on Thursday and $2.54 on Friday. The price is over $3 in California, Hawaii and Washington state.
Exxon Mobil said Sunday it's making progress on restarting its Baytown refinery and chemical plant, which was spared significant damage from Harvey. The company's Beaumont refinery, East of Houston, is flooded and remained shut.
And Colonial Pipeline, which operates a key pipeline that runs from Houston to New York, said Sunday it may restart the transportation of distillates between Houston and Hebert, Texas, on Monday and of gasoline Tuesday. The pipeline was shut down on Thursday.
Officials from Motiva, which operates the nation's largest refiner in Port Arthur, Texas, didn't immediately reply to messages.