Written by Karrie Kirschenmann
Californians rely on gasoline to power their commute to work, school, get-togethers, and of course, the beach. However, when there is a shortage of gas in Southern California, prices skyrocket.
On October 31, the average price of self-serve gasoline reached the highest it has been since July of 2015, with average prices rising to $4.10.
A massive shortage of gasoline in Southern California has caused this rampant inflation. The cause of this deficit is three-fold. First, there have been maintenance issues at the Chevron and Marathon refineries in Los Angeles. Second, a shortage of imported gas—due in part to the Iranian bombing at an oil field in Saudi Arabia last month. Lastly, the gas tax hike forwarded by Democrats has increased gas prices precipitously throughout the year. The culmination of these reasons combines to add up to Southern Californians’ wallets being emptied with each visit to the gas station.
According to Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the American Auto Club of Southern California, the supply deficiency is further fueled by the fact that the lack of imported gas has caused most refineries in Southern California to lack the ingredients to make the summer blend of gasoline, which was required to be produced and distributed until October 31.
The extreme inflation of gasoline prices is incessant. The AAA and the Oil Price Information Service have reported that the average cost of self-serve gas rose almost 50 cents in just over two weeks. Oil prices are $0.35 higher than a week ago, and over $0.75 higher than at the beginning of the year.
Oil prices in California are increasing at a far greater rate than income, making it more difficult to make ends meet each month. If Democrats truly cared for working families, they wouldn’t establish ridiculous regulations and tax hikes that disproportionately affect poorer Californians.
