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[Tripon]

Gas prices are tumbling, except where they're not. Nationwide, average prices are falling at the fastest rate since January due to cheaper crude oil costs and the resolution of some refinery issues but in California, the gap between local prices and the rest of the country is bigger than ever.

AAA says that by the middle of last week, the national average price of gas had dropped for 16 days in row for a total of 11 cents per gallon. The national average price of gas on Wednesday was $2.66 per gallon, which is the lowest average for this time of year since 2009.

“It feels good to see gas prices drop during the middle of the busy summer driving season,” said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. “Millions of people are hitting the roads right now and these gas savings should make their trips more affordable.”

But in California, the nation's most populous state, a different record has been broken -- this one for the biggest gap between what California consumers have paid at the pump versus the rest of the nation.

The nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog says Californians paid $1.2 billion more, after tax differentials, than the rest of the nation in the month of July, a record, and $4.8 billion more for their gasoline over the last six months ending July 31st, since gas price spikes started.

That amounts to $201 extra paid by each California driver, according to the group’s calculations.

Consumer Watchdog's analysis of state data found that oil refiners were able to triple refiner margins the second week of July to a record $1.61 a gallon, representing the amount of money refiners receive for each gallon sold at the pump. The historical margin over the last fifteen years is 48 cents. The margin since the price spike began in February has averaged $1.05 per gallon, the group said.

A Chevron spokesman said the higher prices in California are the result of a fire at one refinery, a strike another, higher state taxes and a new state-mandated fuel regulation.

"While it is easy for groups like Consumer Watchdog and individuals like Tom Steyer to take one factor in our earnings out of context, what can't be taken out of context is the fact that many policies backed by Steyer are already increasing fuel prices for California consumers," Chevron's Braden Reddall said, AP reported.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/gas-prices-falling-nearly-everywhere-but-california-080915.html

 

[BrianRoyale]

Did a refinery "breakdown"?

 

[Liquidsnake]

I don't see myself living here much longer, and this if after 30+ years.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Actually prices finally started receding here in the past couple weeks. Still has a good ways to go but it's getting better.

 

[the_firewithin]

we still high (paid 3.19 yesterday) but it has been falling slowly. was about 3.95 couple weeks ago

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

Fuck off Chevron you stupid cunts. You are making billions off of us right now.

 

[Clydefrog]

Just paid $3.92 a gallon a few days ago. Wasn't fun.

 

[Allforce]

I paid 2.17 a few weeks ago and was pissed it was up to 2.35 last weekend.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

Ah, the Enron business model, just make California pay for it.

I'm well aware of California's strict emissions regulations.

 

[Jack Remington]

Cap refiner margins?

 

[Codeacious]

It's definitely lower in California than it was a few weeks ago, but yeah, we're still well above $3/gallon. Hopefully it falls a bit more before I drive hundreds of miles in a couple weeks, but by then the prices could already be back on the upswing.

 

[Einhander]

Best Coast downgraded to Worst Coast.

 

[speculawyer]

California and, to a lesser extent, the entire west coast is a separate gasoline market due to the Rocky Mountains and different gasoline blends.

And right now there are those refinery issues. Who knows if they are valid or manufactured.

 

[The Beard]

Aside from the coast and the weather, California really sucks ass. They tax the hell out of us.

 

[Fenderputty]

Aside from the coast and the weather, California really sucks ass. They tax the hell out of us.

Our rates aren't currently this high comparatively because of taxes.

 

[Kadin]

Just paid $3.92 a gallon a few days ago. Wasn't fun.

Wow, what area are you in? I'm up in Sacramento and paid $2.89 last week at a local Sam's Club and it's $2.74 today.

 

[jmdajr]

California and, to a lesser extent, the entire west coast is a separate gasoline market due to the Rocky Mountains and different gasoline blends.

And right now there are those refinery issues. Who knows if they are valid or manufactured.

Cool map

 

[CitizenVectron]

Gas just went up $.17a litre here in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (to $1.21/litre).

That's $3.68/gallon. Prices continue to climb here as oil drops. It's very infuriating.

 

[Tekniqs]

gas went up by 10 cents at my local chevron. I did a "wtf" take cuz I just read oil is at its lowest in the last 6 years

 

[theWB27]

Gas jumped to 3 bucks here in Indy because...leaks. I don't know how long the leaks will leak, but it was down to about 220 or so before the leaks.

 

[ILoveBish]

I paid 3.39 the other day, still insanely high.

 

[Wizman23]

They are up about 70 cents a gallon in Cleveland today. WTF

 

[jb1234]

It isn't much better in Seattle, where we average about $3.30 a gallon.

 

[Jarrod38]

Around $2.89 here thanks Obama

 

[Plinko]

What? Because of the refinery "issue" in Indiana, prices in the midwest went up almost a dollar today.

 

[Vostro]

Gas jumped to 3 bucks here in Indy because...leaks. I don't know how long the leaks will leak, but it was down to about 220 or so before the leaks.

So that's why... Here in Dayton it jumped like 40 cents from yesterday.

 

[M52B28]

I spent half of my paycheck on gas. Gas in SF is like $4.25. Forgot to mention that I can only use Premium or 91.

 

[Clydefrog]

Wow, what area are you in? I'm up in Sacramento and paid $2.89 last week at a local Sam's Club and it's $2.74 today.

Not near you! I'm in Newport Beach.

This was at a Shell station.

 

[Angry Grimace]

They don't even tell you what it is, but its $3.56 as of 2 days ago.

 

[MultiCore]

Legislators have repeatedly stated their goals are to drive the price of gas up to $10/gallon in order to 'encourage' people to either cut back on their driving or buy electric cars(the price of electricity also being outrageous and heavily regulated).

SHOCKING NEWS, to say the least.

 

[Crisco]

Are Californians watering their lawns with gas? That won't work dudes......

 

[davepoobond]

They don't even tell you what it is, but its $3.56 as of 2 days ago.

I'm personally just happy it isn't 4.25+ anymore... That sucked hard

3.99 was a deal just a week or so ago

 

[Zeyphersan]

I saw $3.03 today and was like "Damn that's low"

 

[Velcro Fly]

Gas up like 70 cents near me since Monday

Of course the local refinery is having problems! Yeah gas was almost $2 a gallon

 

[smurfx]

They are up about 70 cents a gallon in Cleveland today. WTF

did a refinery "break down"? they must have seen cali and thought why not us too!

 

[Septimus Prime]

California and, to a lesser extent, the entire west coast is a separate gasoline market due to the Rocky Mountains and different gasoline blends.

And right now there are those refinery issues. Who knows if they are valid or manufactured.

My office is a block away from the Torrance refinery that blew up a few months ago, and I can confirm there was definitely an explosion.

 

[FZZ]

Still can't believe it was $4+ a few weeks ago.

It better fucking be sub $3 by the end of this month.

 

[TheUsual]

Heard on the radio today a major refinery in Indiana for the Chicagoland area is down as well. Reportedly down for a month. Prices went up around here as well.

EDIT:
Here's a news article for it as well. Radio was mentioning that August is the 2nd highest month in the year where people are on the road (could be wrong). How unfortunate...right?

 

[woolley]

It's down to 2.40 in my area but if I decided to drive 5 mins. to NJ it's down to like 2.15.

 

[Robot Pants]

Actually prices finally started receding here in the past couple weeks. Still has a good ways to go but it's getting better.

Yea but barely. Shit should be like 3.40 tops.

 

[xDUMPWEEDx]

Are Californians watering their lawns with gas? That won't work dudes......

Don't worry we will be switching to this soon.

 

[Escape Goat]

I spent half of my paycheck on gas. Gas in SF is like $4.25. Forgot to mention that I can only use Premium or 91.

maybe its time to consider a new car. One that doesn't take half your paycheck to fuel it.

 

[Vaco6121]

Two days ago gas was $1.92 here in Rochester, MN, it is now at $2.22.

 

[rokkerkory]

I hate cali tax sometimes

 

[davepoobond]

Heard on the radio today a major refinery in Indiana for the Chicagoland area is down as well. Reportedly down for a month. Prices went up around here as well.

We need a timeline of refineries going down/exploding versus national average of gas prices.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Good. Export In and Out now or face the consequences.

 

[whatsinaname]

Someone should go Chavez on these rent-seeking price-colluding oil companies.

 

[TrounceX]

Two days ago gas was $1.92 here in Rochester, MN, it is now at $2.22.

Did you mean $2.92?

I'm 25 miles North of you and I paid $2.89 for 91 octane just this morning.

 

[Walter White Walker]

$2.89 north of Seattle. Should be cheaper given crude prices, on the other hand we just got hit with an additional 7 cents a gallon tax.

 

[Vaco6121]

Did you mean $2.92?

I'm 25 miles North of you and I paid $2.89 for 91 octane just this morning.

It really was $1.92, Costco was at $1.89

http://www.kttc.com/story/29749793/2015/08/10/rochester-gas-prices-lowest-in-state