Gas prices rise in NJ as Harvey forces partial shutdown of pipeline

<p>As New Jersey residents hit the road for Labor Day weekend, drivers will notice a significant bump in gas prices when stopping to fill up.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 1, 2017, 10:52 AM

Updated 2,563 days ago

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As New Jersey residents hit the road for Labor Day weekend, drivers will notice a significant bump in gas prices when stopping to fill up. 
A major gas pipeline that runs from Houston, Texas to Linden, New Jersey, played a large role in the jump in prices. The pipeline has been limited due to the effects of Harvey. Colonial Pipeline, which operates the pipeline that moves nearly 40 percent of the South's gasoline, estimates that it will resume carrying fuel through Texas by Sunday.
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Steve Baker, a spokesman for Colonial Pipeline, said Thursday that the pipeline is underwater in parts of Texas dealing with flooding from Harvey and that those sections would have to be inspected before it could resume operating. But he says the pipeline is still operating from Louisiana to the eastern states, though deliveries will be "intermittent."
Reopening the shuttered Texas sections of pipeline could help avoid major gas shortages, but huge challenges remain, as several giant Texas refineries were shut down due to the storm.
All of these problems have sent gasoline prices surging. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen from about $2.35 a week ago to $2.45 now.
According to AAA, the average price for regular gas Friday in New Jersey was $2.55. AAA said the average in New Jersey is up nine cents compared to Thursday and is up 18 cents compared to just last week.
The Associated Press new wire service contributed to this report.
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