Gas stations across five U.S. states are running dry as a retaliatory oil crisis stemming from Canada’s export restrictions sends shockwaves through the Midwest. The situation has escalated rapidly, with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declaring a state of emergency over the weekend, highlighting the urgent need for energy in a state where the auto industry accounts for twenty percent of the economy.
The crisis began when Ottawa tightened oil exports to the U.S. in response to newly imposed tariffs from Washington. This policy standoff has morphed into a significant disruption affecting daily life, pushing gasoline prices to unprecedented levels and choking the flow of essential goods. Lines of vehicles now stretch for blocks outside gas stations, with many pumps running dry or rationing fuel to just a few gallons per customer.
In Washington state, the impact has been particularly severe. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma, crucial transit points for Alberta crude, have seen oil shipments plummet to less than half their usual volume. Gas prices have surged past $6 a gallon, levels not witnessed in over two decades. The fishing industry, reliant on diesel, is facing a crisis as boats remain docked, and freight transport has been severely disrupted, with companies canceling nearly one-third of their scheduled routes.
Michigan is feeling the pinch as well, with fuel reserves around Detroit, Flint, and Grand Rapids falling to critical levels. Gas prices in the state have jumped from $3.95 to $4.65 in less than a week, forcing many stations to limit purchases to a maximum of 10 gallons. The ripple effects are felt throughout the industrial sector, jeopardizing logistics and production lines in the heart of the American auto industry.
New York is not immune either, with communities along the Saint Lawrence River facing similar shortages. Gas prices have surged more than 30% within a week, and rural households are forced to drive long distances in search of fuel. The economic ramifications are mounting, as farmers and small businesses grapple with soaring expenses.
Minnesota’s situation is dire, with gas prices climbing more than 25% in a week, pushing the average to nearly $5 per gallon. Fuel rationing has been implemented, and residents are adjusting their daily routines to conserve fuel. The governor has urged residents to stock up only on essential fuel needs while negotiating for supplemental supplies.
North Dakota, despite its oil-rich reputation, is also feeling the heat. The refined fuel that residents rely on primarily comes from Alberta, and as the supply tightens, prices have skyrocketed. Farmers are facing significant challenges as they enter peak harvest season, with equipment sitting idle due to diesel shortages.
Montana’s vast distances amplify the crisis, with communities reliant on a steady flow of Canadian fuel. Long lines at gas stations have become the norm, and the commercial impact is severe, with frozen goods piling up in warehouses as transport costs soar.
This unfolding crisis underscores a critical vulnerability: the heavy reliance on a single energy source. As the situation develops, governors are calling for federal intervention, and business groups warn of increasingly severe economic risks. Without a steady flow of oil from Canada, the potential for widespread shortages affecting not just fuel, but food and essential goods looms large, threatening to reshape daily life across the northern U.S. The clock is ticking, and immediate action is needed to avert a complete breakdown of the supply chain.