California

Gas Prices Are Unusually High in LA. Here's Why

This is the highest it has been since Nov. 9.

One day after it jumped by 3.6 cents, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose another 3.1 cents Thursday to reach $3.758, its highest amount since Nov. 9.

The recent sharp increases are the result of "two additional refinery incidents that have added to the supply issues'' -- unplanned flaring at Marathon Petroleum's Carson refinery and the Valero Wilmington Refinery -- "indicating some type of breakdown,'' Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California told City News Service.

"That alone would put upward pressure on prices, but in addition there are a few refinery issues in Northern California and some planned maintenance in Washington state, which also makes some of California's supply when demand is high,'' Montgomery said. "It's uncertain how long this situation will last but for now, expect additional gas price increases.''

The average price has risen 25 consecutive days, increasing 39.9 cents, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 11.9 cents more than one week ago, 40.4 cents higher than one month ago and 18.3 cents greater than one year ago.

The Orange County average price rose 3.3 cents to $3.712, its highest amount since Nov. 9, one day after increasing 3.4 cents. It has risen 17 consecutive days, increasing 39 cents. It is 12.1 cents more than one week ago, 40.5 cents higher than one month ago and 17.7 cents more than one year ago.

The increases began in mid-March with a fire at the Phillips 66 refinery in Carson that shut down one unit, some planned flaring at the PBF Torrance refinery and some unplanned flaring up at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, Montgomery said.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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