Gas prices continued to rise this week across California, and Los Angeles County now has the state's highest petroleum fees with an average of $4.28 per gallon. Prices have now risen for 24 consecutive days. Other regions in the Greater L.A. area are also suffering, as both Ventura and Orange Counties are averaging $4.26 per gallon. On average, the Inland Empire has the cheapest prices at $4.22 per gallon.
According to AAA, the surge in gas prices can be traced to scheduled maintenance of local oil refineries which increases the production cost, but creates more environmentally friendly gas. At this time last year, L.A. County pas prices were at an average of $3.99 per gallon. Several gas stations in the region are already charging over 5 dollars per gallon.
Southern Californians are all searching for relief at the pump, but experts are expecting gas prices to continue on this upward trend for at least the next couple months. Unfortunately, locals may have to get used to paying nearly 5 dollars a gallon for the foreseeable future. Websites such as losangelesgasprices.com/ and gasbuddy.com can assist motorists in locating the cheapest gas prices in their area.
For many individuals and families, it is difficult to cut back on gas consumption, as public transit options in the region are still less than satisfactory. Thus, most people will have to live with the rising gas prices until the region completes the expansion of the light rail lines, the improvement of the bus system, and the integration of the high speed rail. Until then, paying an arm and a leg at the pump means residents will spend less money spend on groceries, entertainment, retail and other categories of consumption that affect the overall performance of the economy.
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