SC still paying more at the pump after Alabama pipeline repair

South Carolinians are still paying more at the pump following the repair of a major pipeline leak in Alabama.

According to GasBuddy, the average price of gasoline in South Carolina is $2.09 per gallon, after peaking at $2.11 per gallon last week. Two weeks ago, prices in the state averaged at $1.91 per gallon.

AAA Carolinas reports average gas prices increased 7 cents per gallon in South Carolina because of the spill.

A year ago, South Carolina saw averages of $1.95 per gallon in September, typically a cheaper month for gasoline.

South Carolina prices remain below the national average of $2.20 per gallon.

Atlanta was hit hardest by the pipeline damage with a spike of 35 cents a gallon. Prices have since decreased to $2.45 per gallon.

The good news is most southeastern states hit hard by the pipeline leak are seeing receding prices. As of yesterday, Tennessee and Virginia were the only states that remained at peak levels.

"While it appears that the worst may be behind us, we're not out of the woods yet where gasoline inventory levels are concerned," said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “The overall drop in gasoline inventory tied to Colonial Pipeline was approximately 8.5 million barrels. To put that in perspective, in the two weeks following Hurricane Katrina, East Coast gasoline inventories shed 3.3 million barrels.”

The pipeline leak was originally reported Sept. 9.

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 10:05 AM with the headline "SC still paying more at the pump after Alabama pipeline repair."