July10,2015-
California gas prices exploded Thursday as supply issues again plagued the state and there were calls of price gouging.
The gas price in Los Osos in SLO County jumped 70 cents overnight from $3.79 to $4.49.
In Visalia Costco had been selling regular for $2.99 earlier this week but that has risen to $3.07 today.
The average price in the state jumped 10 cents according to Gas Buddy today. AAA says the California average Friday is $3.49 compared to $2.57 nationwide.
It seems to have made no difference at the pump that the state gas tax fell six cents as of July 1.
In the oil arena prices have been falling in the past week. Refiners are getting Kern oil at a bargain – about $50 a barrel.
A federal report Wednesday said California faced a “perfect storm” as refiners produced less gas and imports fell to nothing
The sudden price hike has several groups crying foul.
Consumer Watchdog announced July 9, “California drivers, who have paid an average of 74 cents more per gallon at the pump than drivers nationwide, have shelled out $4.5 billion more for their gasoline than U.S. drivers from February to June.”
