Fuel Tracker

Seven refineries were directly in the path of Hurricane Rita, and damage to these facilities, along with lack of electricity to others, means that as much as 15 percent of U.S. refinery capacity could be out for at least the next couple of weeks. The Energy Information Administration estimates about 1.3 million barrels of lost gasoline production per day. The storm, however, did not have as dramatic an impact as was first feared, avoiding the Houston/Galveston refining center. As it is, prices are expected to increase over the next few weeks. Here is the national average gasoline price per gallon, the West Texas Intermediate crude oil spot price per barrel and a snapshot of prices in Springfield. The U.S. average for gasoline was $2.80 per gallon as of Sept. 26, up 1 cent from Sept. 19.