U.S. gasoline prices are on the rise for the first time in 16 days, potentially posing a political challenge for the Biden administration ahead of elections even as it casts a spotlight on Big Oil’s massive profits.

Gasoline shortages rippling across the East Coast are driving up pump prices from New York to Maine, potentially frustrating the Biden administration’s effort to rein in energy costs ahead of the election.

New England is at risk of natural gas shortages this winter amid surging global demand that’s driving up U.S. exports, according to the top federal energy regulator.

For more than a century, gas stations have been the heart of California’s car culture, offering fuel, food and friendly directions along back roads and byways. But the rush to EVs may leave them in the dust.

Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. only gets about half of its gross profit from fuel. That has CEO Brian Hannasch thinking about how to kickstart the company’s fresh food business, which represents just 11% of sales in its 9,000 North American stores.

Retail gasoline prices in the U.S. have posted their first increase — albeit very modestly — after a 98-day streak of declines, suggesting consumers won’t get much more relief at the pump. Prices now stand at $3.681 a gallon, according to auto club AAA.

CAMARILLO, Calif. — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline plummeted 45 cents over the past three weeks to $4.10 per gallon.

Gasoline prices dipped to just under the $4 mark for the first time in more than five months — good news for consumers who are struggling with high prices for many other essentials.

U.S. gasoline demand remains below where it was this time two years ago as historically high prices keep more drivers off the road than COVID-19 did in the summer of 2020.

Expensive gasoline is keeping more U.S. drivers off the road than the COVID-19 pandemic did at this time two years ago.