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"AAA is calling for motorists to utilize their most fuel-efficient vehicles whenever possible and to ensure that every vehicle is properly tuned up for maximum gas efficiency," said Martha Mitchell, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
On Tuesday afternoon, gas prices in the Tri-Cities averaged just over $2.50 per gallon but overnight they rose to exceed $2.90. By Thursday morning, $3 was the average for a single gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.
However, some stations, including the Miller Mart on Courthouse Road in Petersburg, were selling a gallon of unleaded for as high as $3.49.
Mitchell says the dramatic price increase can be attributed to supply and demand.
Hurricane Katrina crippled two major fuel supply pipelines, the Colonial Pipeline and the Plantation Pipeline, so fuel supplies in Richmond and other cities along the East Coast are starting to dwindle. The two pipelines are now partially up and running, but the shipping process is slow.
"The supplies are critically tight and probably will be for another week," said Lloyd Little, president of James River Petroleum in Richmond.
But according to Little, only reformulated gas supplies are critically low.
"Reformulated gasoline is for use in metropolitan areas like Richmond, Petersburg and Tidewater that have higher air-quality standards," said Little.
In an effort to reduce strain on fuel supplies, the Environmental Protection Agency relaxed its air-quality standards in all 50 states until Sept. 15, but the governor of each state must approve the relaxation of standards.
Gov. Mark R. Warner has yet to approve the EPA's change, which would allow retailers to sell conventional gasoline or gasoline that does not meet metropolitan air-quality standards.
Fuel company and gas station owners are hoping the ruling comes down soon and relieves some of the strain.
"It's just extremely tight," said Little. "We're taking it day by day."
* Susan Robertson may be reached at 732-3456, ext. 272.
