News of extended Southern California refinery maintenance has so far had little impact on local gas prices because of ample fuel supply, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail statewide average is $3.35 a gallon for regular unleaded, a penny higher than last Thursday.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.43 per gallon, which is one cent higher than last week, three cents lower than last month, and 37 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $3.39, which is unchanged from last Thursday, four cents lower than last month, and 35 cents more than this time last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.43, which is the same as last week, two cents higher than last month, and 34 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $3.36, which is unchanged from last week, three cents lower than last month, and 36 cents more than at this time last year.
“The Oil Price Information Service reports that the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, the largest on the West Coast, is delaying its restart from planned maintenance by one week to March 22,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “However, the US Energy Information Administration also reported this week that West Coast gasoline stocks have posted a substantial weekly increase, which could reduce investor concerns about refinery maintenance.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 8, averages are:
Area |
Regular |
1-week change |
Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach |
$3.43 |
+1 cent |
$4.70 (10/9/12) |
|
|
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|
Orange County |
$3.40 |
+1 cent |
$4.69 (10/8/12) |
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San Diego |
$3.39 |
No change |
$4.72 (10/8/12) |
|
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|
|
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria –Lompoc |
$3.43 |
No change |
$4.70 (6/21/08) |
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Riverside |
$3.36 |
No change |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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|
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San Bernardino |
$3.38 |
+1 cent |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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Ventura |
$3.41 |
+1 cent |
$4.68 (10/7/12) |
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|
Bakersfield |
$3.30 |
No change |
$4.64 (10/9/12) |