SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The rise in California gasoline prices has slowed after
recent jarring increases, but nonetheless the cost of a gallon inched up to
another record high, even as officials hope their emergency action will help
ease the sticker shock.
The average price for regular gas in the state on Tuesday
was a bit over $4.67 a gallon, according to the AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
The price was a state record and the highest in the nation.
The cost increased only a fraction of a cent overnight,
however - compared to nearly 50 cents in the past week.
The highest average price in the state, at $4.75, is in
Central California, in the San Luis Obispo area.
San Diego average prices are at $4.72 a gallon, and the
Los Angeles area about $4.71.
Analysts said the spike has been driven by refinery
disruptions and corrosion issues in an important pipeline.
Also contributing to the high prices, California law, in
an effort to reduce air pollution, requires that gas stations during warmer
months use a special blend of fuel that is not widely available.
State leaders - and drivers - hope to see gasoline prices
drop soon because Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered the California Air Resources
Board to allow so-called "winter-blend" gasoline to be sold in California
earlier than usual to increase supply.
California usually converts to the gas on Oct. 31. The
fuel evaporates in heat more quickly than summer-blends, so sends more
pollutants into the environment, especially in warm weather.
Gil Duran, a spokesman for Brown, said the governor looked
at all the options available, particularly scientists' prediction that such a
change would not have a significant effect on the environment, and "when he
learned this could increase the supply by 8 to 10 percent, it just made
sense."
Sunday's action was the first time since 2005 - when gas
supplies were affected by refinery disruptions in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
- that the air board has approved early conversion to winter-gas blends.
Officials said it could take days before prices fall,
depending on how quickly refineries can get the winter-blend fuel to market.
"The gasoline market moves on news, and this is clearly
good news in terms of supply, because it should be able to increase supply
immediately," said Alison Roberts, a spokeswoman with the California Energy
Commission.
Record-setting prices at the pump has also prompted calls
for a federal investigation.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., on Monday asked the
Department of Justice's oil and gas price fraud working group to look into
whether maintenance issues at refineries were being used as an excuse to drive
up energy prices.
Boxer's request came a day after Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
D-Calif., called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate, saying
residents need to be protected from "malicious trading schemes."
