LA gas prices exceed $6 per gallon on average.
Gas Prices Soar to Over $6 a Gallon in Southern California
Gas prices in some Southern California counties have skyrocketed to an average of over $6 a gallon, marking the highest prices in nearly a year.
As of Tuesday, the average gas price of regular gasoline in Los Angeles and Orange counties was more than $6 a gallon — $6.027 in Los Angeles County and $6.022 in Orange County, according to data from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
This is the first time the price has exceeded $6 since October of last year.
Both Southern California counties have experienced a surge of over a dollar in gas prices over the past two months. Ventura County has an average cost of $6 a gallon, while San Diego County averages $5.947.
AAA reports that three California counties bordering Nevada also have an average gas price of over $6 a gallon: Alpine ($6.999), Mono ($6.508), and Inyo ($6.143).
Several factors have contributed to the rise in gas prices, including OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia slashing oil production earlier this summer. The Saudis reduced oil production by one million barrels per day starting in July, causing crude oil prices to surge.
“Oil costs are putting upward pressure on pump prices, but the rise is tempered by much lower demand,” said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.
The national gas price average currently stands at $3.88 a gallon, which is 20.3 cents higher than a year ago. The national average reached a record high of $5.016 a gallon in late June of last year.
The Biden administration has recently highlighted the decrease in gas prices from that peak.
“If you look at what we’ve been able to do from last summer to this summer — lowering gas prices by a dollar twenty cents, that is because of the work that this administration has done,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this month.
Over the past year, the administration has repeatedly taken credit for occasional dips in gas prices, despite the overall high prices that have burdened Americans.
President Biden’s Gas Price Misstatement
A year ago in September, President Biden falsely claimed that the average gas price was below $2.99 in 41 states and the District of Columbia. In reality, the average gas price at the time was only under $3.99, not $2.99.
After news outlets pointed out the error, the White House corrected the official transcript of Biden’s remarks to reflect the accurate figure of $3.99.
“I’m going to get those gas prices down again, I promise you,” Biden said last week.
Critics have called on Biden to take responsibility when gas prices rise, but the administration has been reluctant to do so. Some have also pointed out that the national average gas price the day before Biden took office was $2.38, according to AAA, which is over a dollar less than the current average of $3.83.
Meanwhile, gas prices were the leading cause of a 0.6% increase in inflation during August.
With election season underway, gas prices are likely to play a prominent role in the political discourse, particularly regarding the Biden administration’s influence on price levels.
Despite the rise in gas prices, why is there lower demand attributed to various factors such as the ongoing pandemic and transition to cleaner energy sources
St few months, gas prices in Southern California have skyrocketed, reaching an average of over $6 per gallon. This surge in prices marks the highest they have been in nearly a year, with the last time prices exceeding $6 being in October of last year.
According to data from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the average gas price of regular gasoline in Los Angeles County was $6.027 per gallon, while in Orange County, it stood at $6.022 per gallon. This significant increase in prices has been observed in other Southern California counties as well. Ventura County, for example, has an average cost of $6 per gallon, while San Diego County stands at $5.947 per gallon.
The high gas prices are not limited to Southern California. AAA reports that three California counties bordering Nevada, Alpine, Mono, and Inyo, also have an average gas price of over $6 per gallon.
There are several factors contributing to this rise in gas prices. One significant factor is the decision made by OPEC countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to slash oil production earlier this summer. Starting in July, the Saudis reduced oil production by one million barrels per day, causing crude oil prices to surge. This increase in the cost of oil has put upward pressure on pump prices.
However, despite the rise in gas prices, there is much lower demand due to various factors, including the ongoing pandemic and efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. According to Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager, the rise in gas prices is tempered by this lower demand.
Comparatively, the national gas price average currently stands at $3.88 per gallon, which is 20.3 cents higher than a year ago. It is worth noting that the national average reached a record high of $5.016 per gallon in late June of last year.
The Biden administration has recently emphasized the decrease in gas prices from that peak, highlighting the work they have done to lower prices. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated that the administration’s efforts have contributed to lowering gas prices by a dollar twenty cents from last summer to this summer.
As gas prices continue to rise in Southern California and other parts of the country, it is essential to consider alternative energy sources and sustainable solutions. The transition to cleaner energy not only helps mitigate the impacts of fluctuating gas prices but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
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