Gas Prices Go Up In California

California gas prices are going up, while legislators recently took action to make it more difficult to drill for oil and gas in the Golden State.

The national average prices of gas, as of September 26, was $3.73 across the country, according to AAA. In California, it was at $5.80, the steepest in the entire nation.

In southern California, the numbers are rough. Residents of the Los Angeles-Long Beach region are experiencing $5.84 gas prices, according to KTLA. The outlet pointed out that the number is up 41 cents from a week prior, up 55 cents from a month ago, and almost $1.50 more than a year ago.

In Los Angeles County, the average cost of regular gas went up 4.1 cents on Monday, in its 24th time rising in a row, according to ABC-7.

In Orange County, a gallon of regular gas was $5.83 as of September 26, which was 44 cents up from a week ago, 63 cents up from a month ago and almost $1.50 up from last year.

In Riverside and San Bernardino areas, gas is around $5.70 per gallon, which is a slightly lower number, but not much better for those struggling under the difficulties of inflation and the U.S. economy.

KTLA noted that environmental policies that push costs over a dollar per gallon are one reason why California regularly sees high costs. The state also has the second steapest gas tax in the country.

Another reason for the spike is reportedly due to the availability of oil as supplies on the west coast are at the lowest amount they’ve been in around ten years, according to the US Energy Information Administration, per CBS News.

“Oil Price Information Service reports that several local refineries are undergoing unplanned maintenance as fuel inventories are at their lowest levels in a decade, which caused Los Angeles wholesale gas prices to rise sharply this week,” Doug Shupe, corporate communications and programs manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California, said.

“Until the issues with the refineries get resolved, and these refineries are fully operational again, we are going to have very volatile gas pump prices,” Shupe noted.

Experts reportedly say that prices likely won’t go down until November when the state’s winter mix of fuel become obtainable for drivers.

The price of gas across the country also went up for the sixth day in a row.

The inventories of crude oil in the country went up 1.1 million barrels for the week ending in September 16, which was lower than the anticipated increase of 2.2 million barrels, per the EIA report.

California has taken steps to make it more difficult to create new oil and gas wells, with legislators deciding that the new wells must be established at least 3,200 feet back from certain community areas. In the past, gas and oil businesses have spoken out against such legislation, noting that such regulations would harm energy production and spike the prices of fuel.