Gas Prices Reach 7-Year High

The price of gasoline in the United States is up 58% from this time last year and is at its highest point since 2014, according to AAA. As of Thursday, the average price of a gallon of gas was $3.04. Prices were already on the rise when the Colonial Pipeline, which transports roughly 45% of the East Coast's fuel supply, shut down for roughly a week after being hacked earlier this month. The shutdown led to significant gas shortages across over a dozen mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.

The news was covered across the spectrum, but was highlighted more prominently by right-rated sources. Some reports from right-rated outlets suggested that President Biden's clean energy agenda deserved blame for the spike in prices, and focused on former President Donald Trump's criticisms of the situation. Coverage from left- and center-rated sources tended to frame the price rise as a consequence of the pipeline hack. Outlets on all sides connected the high prices to Memorial Day weekend and the fact that many Americans will be traveling.