Hurricane Harvey: Gas Prices Continue To Rise In Georgia

ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia gas prices are at their highest point in two years, averaging $2.59, as the effects of Hurricane Harvey continue to be felt. Fuel prices nationwide have climbed to $2.51 per gallon, according to AAA.

Gov. Nathan Deal has taken steps to ease the effect Hurricane Harvey is having on Georgia's fuel prices and supply. As Texas and Louisiana deal with the aftermath of the deadly storm, Georgia is bracing itself for its effects in the near term. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Deal said last week that he petitioned the federal government for help with gas prices in the state. "Earlier this week I applied for, and received, a fuel waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)."This waiver will help ensure our fuel supply remains uninterrupted."

Also See: How Might Hurricane Harvey Impact The Oil Industry And Environment?

As trucks begin the long journey to brief relief items and other aid to Texas, Deal said that he took action to ensure that supplies can arrive in storm-ravaged areas unimpeded by beaurocratic red tape.

"Further, I’ve issued an executive order waiving rules and regulations for truck drivers transporting motor fuel in Georgia, as well as for those carrying hurricane relief supplies," he said. "While recovery efforts continue and until normal operations resume, I urge the public to maintain regular consumption levels and travel schedules.”

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AAA says fuel prices will continue to rise in the near term, but things will eventually calm down.

“On the positive side, AAA does not expect Gulf refineries to be offline for months, as early reports indicate minimal to no significant damage to Corpus Christi and Houston refineries. Once refineries are back to full operation, we should expect to see gas prices fall towards the end of September."

Last week, the federal government said that 10 Gulf Coast refineries were off-line due to Harvey. Six refineries were in the multi-day process of restarting, and two refineries in the Gulf Coast were operating at reduced rates. The Department of Energy said that it released half a million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve – the country's reserve of crude oil.

Image via Craig Johnson / Patch