KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |Hurricane Season May Cause Gas Hikes

Hurricane Season May Cause Gas Hikes

July 11, 2005
Reported By: Ryan Peterson

Hurricane Dennis may have missed Louisiana, but the dangerous winds and rain still have an effect in southwest Louisiana. 42 percent of the national daily oil production was shut down because of Dennis. That adds to higher prices at the pump.

"Maybe one or two cents per gallon," says McNeese Professor of Environmental Sciences Frank Phillips. "But as the system comes back up and as it runs and achieves its normal efficiency, the financial effect at the pump should be softened very quickly."

Dr. Phillips says Hurricane Dennis may have had small impact on gas prices, however a long drawn out hurricane season could make the price hike more drastic.

"It could on a seasonal basis," Phillips says. "In terms of by the time we come to not necessarily the hurricane season, but as we come out of the more classic summer months, it could have a net impact overall."

Phillips adds that a series of refinery shutdowns throughout the gulf could raise prices a full five cents per gallon. And while Louisiana oil rigs and refineries were working Monday. They have no direct impact on local prices. "It is an integrated result of what the gulf coast as a whole is doing," explains Phillips.