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Across Southern California, Gas Prices Are Finally Dropping
Gasoline prices are displayed at a gas station on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.
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Mario Tama
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Getty Images
)
California's average gas prices are the lowest they've been since October 2022, at an average of $5.8 a gallon. The drop comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the California Air Resources Board on in late September to allow gasoline refineries to produce the cheaper winter blend.
It's a drop in average prices that recently stood at around $6.1 in the state and $3.8 in the country just weeks ago.
Typically, the cheaper winter blend is available in November.
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Newsom has been vocal in his suspicion of oil producers engaging in “price gouging” after they reported record profits following severe lows during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, he pushed for and signed the country’s first gas price gouging law.
“California is delivering on our promise to hold Big Oil accountable,” Newsom said in a statement. “These new transparency laws will help us track refiners’ profits and shine a light on price manipulation so Californians aren’t vulnerable to the greedy whims of Big Oil.“
Doug Shupe, spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California, has pointed to oil supply cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia as well as the deadly flooding in Libya as some of the reasons behind the recent spike in gas prices.
Consumer experts have indicated that prices will continue to drop over the next few months until rebounding in Spring.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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