DEFENDERS: Missouri gas prices on upward trend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Colonial Pipeline is running again after a ransomware attack shut it down for nearly a week. This shutdown caused panic buying and gas shortages across the nation.

Across the nation, the demand for gas was up nearly 20%, according to GasBuddy. In Missouri, gas supply or distribution was not impacted. Drivers saw very minimal impacts in Missouri.

"Maybe just a penny or two from what you normally pay," Patrick De Haan, the Head of Petroleum Analysis for GasBuddy said. "Beyond that, no supply issues at all and a very minimal impact."

What will have an impact is just the demand for more gas moving into the summer months. De Haan attributes that to more people feeling comfortable traveling and going places as the country reopens.

"Americans are driving to do things. Whether it's going to a baseball game, a concert, going to a restaurant, going to a bar, we can get out and about now," De Haan said. "Part of the reason why prices are higher is because gasoline demand is up based on Americans doing just that.

Right now, the average gas price in Missouri sits around $2.79, which is up by 10 cents from the last week.

While gas prices typically peak around memorial day and start to decline in June, De Haan predicts this year will be different. He believes gas prices might continue to peak in mid, or even late summer.

"I think this year because of broad economic recovery from the depths of the crisis last year, I think the economy is going to continue to grow throughout this year," he said.

ABC 17 News contacted the Missouri Attorney General's office about price gouging related to gas prices. Chris Nuelle, a spokesperson for the office, received five complaints regarding price gouging gas prices from March to May. Nuelle said it's unclear if any of those complaints stem from the Colonial Pipeline issue.

If you believe a station is price gouging, you're encouraged to contact the Missouri Attorney General's office.