Problems at several California oil refineries have choked the supply of gasoline, again driving up prices, but an expert expects the higher cost to be temporary.
Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for gasbuddy.com, said gas inventories in California are almost at a 20-year low because of the refineries’ drop in production.
That has driven up prices. A month ago, the average cost for a gallon of regular in Santa Rosa was $4.235. It fell to $4.19 a week ago, but was back up to $4.236 on Friday, according to AAA.
DeHaan said he expects the price pressures to ease in a week or two as the refineries’ production increases. But don’t expect big drops in prices. And prices may rise a bit more before easing.
He said his company is expecting gas prices to range from $4.10 to $4.40 a gallon across the state by July 4, “perhaps on the lower end of the range.”
On Friday, AAA said San Francisco had the highest average price for gas at $4.335, while Yuba City was the lowest at $4.148. The state average was $4.253. Hawaii had the highest average at $4.557, while South Carolina was the lowest at $3.459.
A reason California’s prices are higher than many other states is that refineries must brew a special formulated gas to meet the state’s air pollution rules.
——-
Follow the Road Warrior on Twitter via @PDRoadWarrior
Brad
Gas prices have more than doubled since Obama has been occupying the White House. Is this the “hope and change” you voted for?
May 12th, 2012 10:45 am
scott
Like California gas prices? Thank a liberal.
May 12th, 2012 11:38 am
Tim
Well,,, it you can cut back production, maintane the same sales level, and charge more and make more profits.. why wouldn’t you. Especially if you have no fear of the public or the politcians…. what is it gonna take?
May 12th, 2012 12:25 pm
jj
Come to Gualala and gas is $4.60 a gal for regular. Point Arena is higher. The two stations here raise their prices at the same time.
May 12th, 2012 2:30 pm
Phil
Sadly from the comments, a high school diploma is really at the 5th grade level.
I am an economist and that reasoning wouldn’t get you out of a high school economics class anywhere in the world.
May 12th, 2012 2:39 pm
Bob walker
Typical liberal comment…everyone that disagrees with me is ignorant.
I know I am SOOO much smarter than everyone else.
Pathetic
May 12th, 2012 6:41 pm
dave
I don’t know why they, AAA and ?, always report San Fran as having the highest gas prices when Eureka is consistently higher. Maybe they don’t know where Eureka is.
May 12th, 2012 6:59 pm
Itsme
Prices will drop just before the November election to ensure an Obama win. But not in California. In fact Obama will ignore California, because he knows he doesn’t have to do anything to get this state’s vote. Bite the hand that feeds him, but it doesn’t matter because in this state we’ll go on “feeding” him no matter how many times he kicks us in the butt.
May 14th, 2012 11:28 pm