Gas pump increase hit the Carolinas the hardest

The Colonial Pipeline leak pushed prices higher in much of the Southeast.  According to the motor club AAA Carolinas, the Carolinas topped the country’s list of largest weekly increases.  South Carolina saw a seven-cent increase.  The average in the Palmetto State stood Monday at $2.11.  The pipeline issues also caused Georgia to make what AAA called an unusual showing on the list of the most expensive markets in the country, at an average of $2.35.  Oil Price Information Service reports show the worst is over for parts of the region and supply distribution should return to normal throughout this week.  This week’s meeting of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum States, could lead to a production freeze or a stay the course action of cutting production.