Gas prices to continue rising

Labor Day Weekend typically has a few staples — a celebrations of labor movements, a three-day weekend and low gas prices.

The price at the pump, however, is only going to increase.

Hurricane Harvey has caused gas prices to jump across the country. The average price increase in Pennsylvania is about 16 cents, according to GasBuddy Petroleum analyst Allison Mac who said it is unique to observe rising, instead of falling costs.

“We’re going to see prices go up for another week or so,” Mac said. “A lot of refineries are going back up into operation in Houston and Corpus Christi, but won’t fully function. I will predict that by mid-September prices will go back down.”

Gas prices will recede, but when and how quickly costs tumble depends on the damage to refineries.

Mac also said the peak increase will be about 30 cents in Pennsylvania, meaning central Pennsylvania motorists could pay more than $2.80 per gallon at the pump in September.

Oil prices have remained low at about $47 per barrel, but refineries being shut down have caused a cut in about 17 percent of the total U.S. refining capacity, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced a waiver will be in effect on gasoline until Sept. 15.

“Consumers have seen fuel prices rise as the Gulf region recovers from this horrific act of nature and this will help ease fuel supply issues impacting Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in a statement. “Pennsylvanians are already doing their part to help those affected by the storm, and this action is to ensure there are not any serious disruptions to the commonwealth.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Gas prices to continue rising."