Gas prices in the Midwest states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan have skyrocketed following the shutdown of ExxonMobil's Joliet Refinery. The refinery, located approximately 40 miles outside of Chicago, was forced to halt operations due to storm damage caused by a power outage during a severe weather event. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency fuel waiver in an effort to alleviate gasoline shortages in the affected areas.

ExxonMobil's Joliet Refinery, one of the largest in the region, has the capacity to produce about 9 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel per day. However, the facility requires weeks to restart operations fully, despite power being restored. Consequently, gas prices in the affected states have surged, with Illinois experiencing prices nearing $4 per gallon, among the highest in the country.

To address the fuel shortage, the EPA has granted a temporary waiver on the sale of low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) gasoline and waived reformulated gasoline requirements in the four Midwest states. Low RVP gasoline evaporates more slowly, contributing to lower ozone pollution and smog levels during the summer months. This waiver will remain in effect until August 20, providing some relief to consumers.

The decision to issue the emergency fuel waiver was made after careful evaluation by both the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE), who deemed it necessary in the public's best interest. The EPA and DOE are closely monitoring the situation caused by the refinery shutdown and are considering additional measures to minimize the impact on the fuel supply.

According to AAA, all four states affected by the shutdown are grappling with gasoline prices exceeding $3.45 per gallon. While California and Washington typically experience higher prices, the current situation in the Midwest is placing a significant burden on consumers.

As the ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery works towards resuming operations, officials are urging drivers to be mindful of fuel consumption and explore alternative transportation options to mitigate the impact of the temporary shortage. Meanwhile, efforts to expedite the refinery's restart are underway, but the process is expected to take time due to the complexity of restarting such a large-scale facility.

The EPA and DOE remain committed to monitoring the fuel supply situation in the Midwest and will implement further measures if necessary. As motorists navigate the high gas prices in the coming weeks, authorities are optimistic that the emergency fuel waiver will provide some much-needed relief while the refinery gets back up and running.

In the meantime, consumers are advised to stay informed about fuel availability in their area and consider optimizing their travel plans to minimize the impact of rising gas prices caused by the ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery shutdown.