Gas prices are the one driving reason why so many Californian’s become frustrated when they see their tank almost at E. Although national gas prices are dropping, California gas prices continue to rise.
Today, the average gas price is $5.76. That’s seven cents increase from the price on Monday, and it is climbing at the fastest rate it has risen all year, jumping almost 20 cents in the last 48 hours.
In Los Angeles, specifically, the average gas price is $6.03 according to [Triple A] AAA. Doug Shupe., the Corporate Communications Manager for [Triple A] AAA in Los Angeles touched upon why these gas prices are rising specifically in Southern California.
Doug Shupe: We see the biggest increases recently because of our regional refinery issues. Here in southern California, we’re like a fuel island. We don’t have gas pipelines that can bring product to us. What we use here in SoCal is what is produced locally or what is imported from from foreign countries and so when we can’t use everything that’s produced locally or our local refinery issues it can cause some. Problems, you know, our refineries.
Micheal A. Mische, an economics professor at USC, talked to us about the effects of price increase to Los Angeles residents and the local economy.
Micheal A. Mische: No matter what gas station goes to, people are complaining about the price and they have to make adjustments in their driving habits and in their consumption habits. I think the real negative impact is on those folks who have to drive to work. And who are hourly wage workers in particular. It’s going to cut into the quality of life that you have and the cost of living that you know.
Mische gave his opinion on how residents can take matters into their own hands.
Mische: The citizens have to express their. Their concerns. In the ballot box. And ultimately. You know, go to the state legislature and ask for some type of regulatory relief from the high tax burden.
We talked to a couple locals at the pump today about their opinions on LA’s gas price increase . Willie Walden wasn’t a fan of the high cost.
Willie Walden: I feel it’s not a good thing. They need to go back to work. Well, I’m 49 years old. I’ve never seen gas prices this high before in my life.
Another local, Denise Smith, was concerned about how it affected the class divide.
Denise Smith: It always affects maybe the poor and the middle class people because how do you get around it? I mean, you have to drive to and from work. You have to you have to still do what you have to do on, you know, just on basic needs.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Valeria Macias.