VIRGINIA BEACH — The winter storm that wreaked havoc on most of the nation has led to supply disruptions and pushed up the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline to $2.87, according to AAA.
Below-freezing temperatures and lingering snow have disrupted some crude production and refinery operations, while gasoline demand increased pre-storm as drivers filled up their tanks ahead of the severe winter weather, according to the motoring organization. Those factors have led to a rise at the pump over the last week but not enough to match last year’s national average at this time of $3.12.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand increased last week from 7.83 million barrels per day to 8.75 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 257 million barrels to 257.2 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
Locally, the gas price average for the Commonwealth Thursday was $2.86. Thursday’s price was five cents higher than a week ago and 12 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA. In Hampton Roads, prices increased seven cents to $2.92, which is 22 cents higher than a month ago and eight cents lower than a year ago.
