Summer Blend Gas
Last fall as we approached the 2006 midterm election gas prices dropped 17% - from $3.15 on August 1 to $2.67 on September 22. 42% of Americans thought that this was a Republican-orchestrated price fixing conspiracy. I expressed doubt, saying that among other things cheaper winter blend gas ought to get at least some credit for dropping prices. I marked my calendar and waited for spring: if I was right, more expensive summer blend gas would raise prices sometime in the spring.
This week the Automobile Club of Southern California's FuelGaugeReport.com announced that gas prices increased 17% from February to March. They blamed the increase on ... summer blend gas.
"The typical springtime trend of rising gas prices before the switch to the more expensive summer blend of fuel started earlier this year, led by what refiners say were maintenance and unscheduled outages that reduced production," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "The majority of Southern California communities now have gas prices averaging higher than $3 per gallon for regular."
Statewide, the average price for March is $3.106 up from $2.663 in February. The lowest average price in the state is in Glendora, where regular is still selling for under $3 at $2.984. San Francisco has the state's highest average price at $3.319.
Or maybe it's the evil Republican gas conspiracy again.
This week the Automobile Club of Southern California's FuelGaugeReport.com announced that gas prices increased 17% from February to March. They blamed the increase on ... summer blend gas.
"The typical springtime trend of rising gas prices before the switch to the more expensive summer blend of fuel started earlier this year, led by what refiners say were maintenance and unscheduled outages that reduced production," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "The majority of Southern California communities now have gas prices averaging higher than $3 per gallon for regular."
Statewide, the average price for March is $3.106 up from $2.663 in February. The lowest average price in the state is in Glendora, where regular is still selling for under $3 at $2.984. San Francisco has the state's highest average price at $3.319.
Or maybe it's the evil Republican gas conspiracy again.