The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County surpassed the $4 mark for the first time on Friday since Aug. 3, 2015, rising 4.8 cents to $4.025.
The average price has risen 33 consecutive days, rising 66.6 cents, including 3.1 cents on Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 23.9 cents more than one week ago, 66 cents higher than one month ago and 43.6 cents greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price rose to its highest amount since Aug. 2, 2015, increasing 5 cents to $3.997. It has risen 25 consecutive days, increasing 67.5 cents, including 3 cents on Thursday.
The Orange County average price is 25.2 cents more than one week ago, 68.3 cents higher than one month ago and 43.8 cents greater than one year ago.
The statewide average price of $3.955 is 39.2 cents more than the $3.563 average for Hawaii, which traditionally has the highest average price.
The recent sharp increases are the result of a series of refinery issues that have reduced supply, according to Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
"Out of the 10 major refineries in California, six are dealing with planned maintenance, unplanned breakdowns or both, and four of those refineries are in Southern California," Spring said.
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"(Wednesday's) report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicated that Los Angeles gasoline inventories dropped by about two million barrels, and a source reported to Oil Price Information Service that Southern California received no imported gasoline in the last week. Because demand also typically increases at this time of year, this has posed serious concerns for supply.''
