Gas prices falling across U.S., but not in California

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gas prices are dropping for nearly everyone in the country but remain stubbornly high in California, where state officials are blaming oil companies and reminding voters that relief is on the way in the form of tax rebates scheduled to arrive in weeks.

Experts say factors to blame for the high cost of gas in California — now more than $5 a gallon — include problems at refineries that supply the state as well as higher taxes, more regulations and the same global issues driving the overall U.S. market.

Still, the cost of gas is something that consumers, and voters, tend to notice and can be problematic for elected officials with elections looming in November. California Republicans are seizing on the sustained prices as they hope to erode Democratic dominance in state government.

“The Legislature had an opportunity to provide real relief to Californians by suspending the gas tax,” Assemblymember Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), who is running for Congress against a Democrat in a Northern California district, said Tuesday. “Instead, the Supermajority opted to create a do-nothing Select Committee as an attempt at political cover. Now our residents are paying the price.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/gas-prices-falling-across-u-s-but-not-in-california/ar-AA11Nj7g

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Gosh Kevin Kiley, did YOU vote for suspending (or sponsor a bill that did) the CA Gas Tax?

And why do I imagine I already know the answer to this question?

Oh that's right ... cause all the RePuQ's do is bullshit and gaslight, day-in, and day-out.

I don't even have to look it up to be like 95% sure ... he did neither.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. They Were Slow To Fall Here In NE Illinois

There were a couple big 15-20 cent daily drops, then protracted stalls, even as RBOB price & futures continued to fall.
They've fallen another 20 cents in the last 2 weeks & are finally barely under $4 per gallon.
Still nothing like some of the posts I see here.
Not sure why the lag, given the modest shipping costs around here. (There are 3 major refineries with 35 miles of our house.)

[kysrsoze]

3. It's all gouging - CA has never differed this much from other parts of the country.

The taxes and regulations were there before, and they don't explain this issue. Local news highlights nothing having to do with any kind of local refinery issues. The only place you can get gas under $5 a gallon that I'm aware of is Costco.

[MichMan]

6. Why would the oil companies gouge in California and not other states?

[Sympthsical]

9. My Costco is $5.20 now

It has jumped 40 cents in the past two or three weeks.

It's really something.

[Brother Buzz]

12. California's clean gasoline, Baby, gives the refineries licence to jack prices around

The California Reformulated Gasoline program set stringent standards for California gasoline that produced cost-effective emission reductions. Consumers are still trying to wrap the heads around cost effectiveness part, but the air quality is measurably better. That is, when wildfires aren't pumping shit into the air.

[usonian]

4. CA has the best regulatory boards that money can buy.

PG&E was let out of bankruptcy, and they send me about $40 worth of printed propaganda every month.

[Emile]

5. Predatory Capitalism is alive and well.

[peppertree]

8. +1

Newsom's running for re-election - and they just so happen to pull this nonsense.

Coincidence, I'm sure.

[honest.abe]

7. I saw 3.19 / gallon here in College Park, MD

That's the lowest price in many many months.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

10. CA gas will always be more expensive because it requires additional processing

to remove more sulfur and other impurities. Only CA refineries have the capability of making CA gas. So not only is the fuel more expensive to make, but it's also supply-limited. CA also imposes relatively high excise taxes on fuel.

[Mr.Bill]

11. In my county in Northern California

It's stalled at around $5, but a few months ago it was $6.50 or so, so it has come down.

[2naSalit]

13. Not in...

Red state tourist town either.