‘Be patient at the pumps’: Nebraska drivers face rising gas prices as fuel supply tightens
By Marisa Nuñez
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OMAHA (KETV) — When pulling up to a pump, some drivers are faced with high prices and yellow nozzle bag covers.
Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Monday to address fuel supply concerns. This comes as drivers continue to face high fuel costs.
Jasmine Ortega comes from a family of five drivers and said her family struggles to fill the tank.
“We try not to drive as much and try to stay in as much as possible. So, we could put [money] towards our food,” Ortega said.
Brian Ortner, Nebraska and Iowa AAA spokesperson, said that supply disruptions are contributing to the higher prices.
“We’re seeing numbers higher than normal,” Ortner said. “And, we’ve been seeing that since the conflict in the Middle East began.”
As of Monday, the current average across the state is $4.27 per gallon. On Sunday, it was $4.24. Since last week, prices have gone up by $0.10 a gallon.
Last year, the average across the state was $2.78 per gallon. Although there has been a jump in price. Nebraska still remains under the national average.
Tim Keigher, executive director of the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said in a statement to AAA that fuel supplies become tight at this time every year.
“The reasons why are refineries are doing their turnaround,” Keigher wrote. “That being switching from summer grade fuels to winter fuels, along with refinery maintenance.”
Although he said it was normal, he emphasized that it is worse than usual and is currently unsure of why that is the case.
As for stations that are out of fuel, Keigher said they will most likely not be out for any length of time, and if this year follows previous trends, prices may go down.
“Going into fall, winter months when demand goes down, the trends show that prices do decline,” Ortner said. “Another thing that’s a benefit to us is refineries are switching to a winter blend, which means the additives that go in are more aligned to the temperatures in the wintertime.”
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