Gas Prices Continue to Skyrocket in Tri-Cities Some so called experts are blaming virtually all of the gas price hikes on the recent spate of bad Texas and midwest weather, which saw many refineries grind to a halt. However, it's more complex than that. Despite what investopedia.com calls the COVID effect in 2020, during the last four years the U.S. became energy independent for the first time in about 75 years. Prices were low, reasonable. The Investopedia.com report was dated January (updated) 25th 2021. However, along with supply and demand, and yes, the bad weather and refiniers, oil markets are