High gas-price offender? Sacramento – Latest News
A story of two gasoline stations drives home a level: It’s Sacramento coverage –– and never the Iran battle –– that make fuel prices so onerous in California.
Consider the distinction a mile makes:
On a go to this week to Needles, Calif., The California Post discovered gasoline priced at $6.99 a gallon.
Just 1.8 miles away in Arizona, a gallon of gasoline was priced at $4.09.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, gasoline costs hit highs not seen since 2023.
A story of two gasoline stations drives home a level: It’s Sacramento coverage –– and never the Iran battle –– that make fuel prices so onerous in California. Getty Images
The staggering value of gasoline –– together with the practically $3-a-gallon distinction between California and its neighbor –– flows straight from coverage decisions made not in DC or overseas, however proper right here at home in Sacramento.
These are insurance policies set by our state’s green-obsessed governor and legislators, together with state regulators who do their bidding.
Their choices embody: slapping steep taxes and charges on gasoline; mandating expensive state-specific gasoline blends; and actively depleting the state’s home oil provide, inflicting inevitable price spikes.
Sign up for the California Morning Report e-newsletter
California’s prime information, sports activities and leisure delivered to your inbox every single day.
Thanks for signing up!
These are particular and tangible prices imposed by California authorities –– however not by Arizona authorities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and different Democrats attempt to cowl their own fingerprints by blaming President Trump, the Iran battle, and Big Oil “price gouging” for Californians’ ache on the pump.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and different Democrats attempt to cowl their own fingerprints by blaming President Trump, the Iran battle, and Big Oil “price gouging” for Californians’ ache on the pump. Getty Images
But how would any of these elements account for an nearly $3 per gallon price bump in California, in contrast with next-door Arizona?
The actual offender is correct at home: It’s overtaxation and dear climate zeal from California’s left-wing elected representatives, together with Newsom and the state’s legislative supermajority.
Consider the bevy of taxes and “green” charges that California pumps into gasoline costs: These embody a state gasoline excise tax, storage-tank charges, “cap-and-invest” climate-program prices, low-carbon fuel prices, and gross sales taxes.
Download The California Post App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up right here!
California Post App: Download right here!
Home supply: Sign up right here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up right here!
At the identical time, the state for years has soaked oil refineries with prices and rules, main many to scale back or shutter their operations right here. This cuts provide and system reliability, thus inflating gasoline costs.
The governor and legislators do that not as a result of it helps Californians (fairly the alternative), however out of their ideological hostility to fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, right here’s the kicker within the saga of two gasoline stations: Arizona will get an estimated one-third to 40% of its oil from refineries in California.
Meanwhile, right here’s the kicker within the saga of two gasoline stations: Arizona will get an estimated one-third to 40% of its oil from refineries in California. Jonathan Alcorn For CA Post
That’s proper: identical oil, totally different state markup.
Indeed, some of the Golden State’s remaining refineries manufacture two blends of gasoline during parts of the yr: One, easier and cheaper, for Arizona and different neighboring states. And one dear “boutique” mix for California, meant to burn more cleanly.
So to summarize, when Californians see gasoline costs right here surge, they’ll blame their own elected officers in Sacramento.
And, beginning now, they’ll vote for candidates who advance saner vitality coverage going ahead.
