by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
AAA reports gas prices increased 40% since start of year and still going up up up
The national gas price average increased 40% since the start of the year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). “Starting the year at $2.25 on January 1, average gas prices per gallon increased to $3.13 today.”
And the prices are still going up. AAA says motorists can expect gas prices to increase another 10–20 cents through the end of August, bringing the national average well over $3.25 this summer.
The national average is $3.131 per gallon as of Thursday; California’s average is $4.31 for regular grade gas – even higher than Hawaii’s gas price average at $4.04, and Hawaii has to import most everything, including gas.
California’s medium unleaded gas sells for $4.50 per gallon on average. Gas in Mono County is $5.13 per gallon.
At about a 47% difference from California, Texas has really low gas prices at $2.81 per gallon. Louisiana gas sells for $2.78. New Hampshire gas sells for $2.98. Our neighbor Oregon’s gas sells for $3.67 per gallon, and Nevada gas sells for $3.78 per gallon.
California drivers all across the state are asking “Why are gas prices so high?”
