One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
No Relief In Sight. At $5.43 A Gallon The Gas Price Rise Marches On
Sky-high gas prices are displayed at a Mobil station across the street from the Beverly Center on March 7.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
At this point, it's not a shock. And yet, it's still a shock.
Yes, gas prices remain through the roof around the nation. And yes, they're particularly high in Southern California. The Automobile Club of Southern California says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is now at $5.43 in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
While the U.S. only imports a relatively small amount of oil from Russia, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for a ban on Russian oil imports after authoritarian leader Vladimir Putin escalated attacks on Ukraine.
Crude oil and natural gas are the Kremlin's lifeblood. It supplies nearly 40% of Europe's natural gas, according to the Associated Press. President Biden has been hesitant to restrict Russian oil in fear of fanning further inflation flames.
Laura Thompson, who was filling up her tank at a gas station in Pasadena, says the cost is shocking. She rushed to the gas station to fill up her tank before gas prices get even higher. Still, she's OK with paying more in solidarity with Ukraine.
"I was just stunned to see that I was about to pay $5.98 a gallon," Thompson said. "Also part of me was like, I will pay whatever I need to...so here I am...so happy to pay more...don't care and just will you know, kind of limit where I'm headed."
Sponsored message
Thompson, who spent $60 on gas for her hybrid vehicle, says the cost is changing the way she drives, and she plans to stick closer to home.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
