RI Feels The Pinch At The Pump Amid Winter Catastrophe In Texas

The unprecedented winter weather crisis in Texas has left millions of residents without electricity, water or heat amid almost-unheard of freezing temperatures, snow and ice. This has directly impacted all oil refineries along the Gulf Coast, causing a spike in gas prices nationwide, including in New England.

Here in Rhode Island, the average price for regular, unleaded gas spiked six cents in just four days, bringing it to $2.52 per gallon. Neighboring Massachusetts saw a similar jump, increasing seven cents to bring the average to $2.54.

“The situation is very similar to a Gulf Coast hurricane’s impact," said Lloyd Albert, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. "Refineries come offline, and until damage — if any — is assessed and operations are back up and running, supply is tight, especially with road conditions and power outages, mostly in Texas, reducing fuel deliveries – if stations even have power to accept them."

The national average increased even more than southern New England's, increasing by 10 cents to $2.60.

"Until things thaw out and Gulf Coast refineries are running again — likely early next week — we do expect more expensive pump prices across the country," Lloyd said.