California’s Gasoline Prices Rise

After declining steadily for nine consecutive weeks, the average retail price of regular self-serve unleaded gasoline in California rose nearly one penny to $1.34 a gallon. Continuing refinery problems have driven refiners to rely on imports of reformulated gasoline to cover production shortfalls, which adds to market volatility, according to the California Energy Commission. A year ago, gasoline was 14 cents cheaper per gallon in California. The national average for unleaded gasoline increased 1.6 cents a gallon during the last week to $1.12, the highest level in four weeks and about 7 cents above year-ago levels, Energy Information Administration said.