California Gasoline Hits $6.15 a Gallon as Iran War and Refinery Closures Lift Costs
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 23
California Gasoline Hits $6.15 a Gallon as Iran War and Refinery Closures Lift Costs
9 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 23
$6.15 a gallon was the average price for regular unleaded in California this week, up from about $4.90 a year earlier and well above the U.S. average of $4.56.
Higher costs reflect California's long-standing fuel taxes and cleaner-blend requirements, with refinery closures forcing more gasoline imports even before the war with Iran pushed oil prices higher.
Californians told the Times the surge is reshaping household and business decisions across the state, where long driving distances make fuel costs especially hard to avoid.
Ventura resident Patrick VanHorn, 71, said he and his wife scrapped a summer trip to see relatives in South Carolina after round-trip airfare would have topped $1,500 per person.
With refineries closing and the gas tax failing, how will California fuel its future without bankrupting drivers?
As California's green policies meet global conflict, are residents paying the price for a fragile energy system?