Hurricanes Push Diesel Prices Higher

Thanks to hurricanes Harvey and Irma, fuel prices nationwide shot up to start September. Now, it looks like, gas prices are starting to drift downward. However, diesel prices continue to increase, but Marie Dodds with AAA said that upward movement has slowed in recent days.

“With Harvey in particular, about 27% of the nation’s refining capacity was closed, so this mean’s Europe is having to look elsewhere for diesel, and because of that tight demand for diesel in Europe, it’s putting upward pressure on our diesel prices here in the U.S.”

Dodds added there is no shortage of diesel, but it’s the international demand that’s pushing prices higher. She told the Washington Ag Network fuel prices could fluctuate during much of the fall with since 2017 is turning out to be a very active hurricane season.

Nationally, the average for a gallon of diesel has increased ½ of a cent to $2.72 a gallon, while Oregon’s rate has increased two cents per gallon to $2.94 and Washington’s diesel prices is now $3.10 on average an increase of two cents.

Here are some of the lowest diesel prices we could find across the Inland Northwest.