Auto Club: Gas Prices Continue Familiar March Upward

(LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9, 2009) - Some Southern California cities witnessed the return of $2 gasoline this week as gas prices continued on an upward swing for the third straight week, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch.

 

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $1.880 per gallon, which is 7.4 cents more than last week, six cents higher than last month, and $1.45 under last year. In San Diego, the price is $1.927, which is 6.9 cents more than last week's price, 14 cents above last month, and $1.43 lower than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $1.994, up 9.1 cents from last week, 10 cents up from last month, and $1.45 below last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $1.881, which is 7.9 cents over last week, eight cents more than last month, and $1.43 less than last year.

 

"The California Energy Commission reports that refineries have slashed their production of regular unleaded gasoline since the start of the year, likely in response to the lower prices," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. "Also, news reports indicate that a Bakersfield refinery has stopped producing gasoline after its parent company declared bankruptcy. With the tighter supply, wholesale prices are up and that is pushing up pump prices."

 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 12:05 a.m. on Jan. 9.