Isaac Drives Spike in U.S. Gas Prices Ahead of Labor Day Weekend
U.S. gasoline prices are getting worse before they will get better, spurred by domestic refinery woes and the recent Gulf Coast storm.
The U.S. national average for a gallon of regular gas hit $3.82 on Thursday according to AAA's tracking, jumping 7 cents in two days. Last year at this time, the average was $3.61.
(Related: "Crude Reality: Gas Prices Rocket Because They Can")
"This week, the main factor that is driving up gas prices is the landfall of Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf Coast," said Michael Green, a spokesman for AAA. As the Category 1 slow-moving storm approached the region, many refineries were closed down so they wouldn't be damaged, stopping their gasoline production. "Whenever you see supplies drop, prices increase," Green said.
Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday and was traveling north Thursday. According to the U.S. Department
