Gas Prices Spike In MD After Pipeline Shutdown

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 05/13/21 | News Source: Pikesville Patch

Gas shortages linger while Colonial Pipeline restores service in Maryland. Officials urge people not to panic buy.

 Spikes in gas prices were reported in Maryland and other areas after a cyberattack prompted a major gas pipeline shutdown.

Colonial Pipeline, which runs from New York to Texas and delivers 45 percent of fuel to the East Coast, shut down its main pipeline over the weekend as a precaution after the ransomware attack. It has since been reactivated.

Prices at the pump in Maryland have increased 10 cents in the past week, according to the Automobile Association of America.

Maryland's gas price average was $2.94 Wednesday, an increase of eight cents since Friday and 10 cents week over week.

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"While the pipeline shutdown is not the only factor pushing gas prices higher, it is definitely impacting gas prices on the East Coast," said Ragina C. Ali, spokesperson for at AAA Mid-Atlantic.

"Gas prices typically trend higher at this time of year, with the increase in demand heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the busy summer driving season," Ali said.

Marylanders are paying $1.07 more per gallon than last year for gas and 18 cents more per gallon than they were last month, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The national average for gas prices reached $3 per gallon Wednesday, the highest since October 2014.

Although the Colonial Pipeline restarted Wednesday night, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan reported: "It will take some time for normal operations to resume." Read more at Patch