On Monday, Drivers in Contra Costa County are on average now paying $5.41 per gallon of gasoline according to AAA.
This is well above the national average of $3.83 per gallon, but on par with the average cost of gas in California at $5.43 per gallon. In California, prices have increased 10 cents from last week and up 30 cents from a month ago. However, they are down 4 cents from a year ago today.
California average gas prices
| Regular | Mid-Grade | Premium | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $5.439 | $5.635 | $5.798 | $6.097 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $5.429 | $5.626 | $5.787 | $6.087 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $5.322 | $5.525 | $5.684 | $5.942 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $5.110 | $5.308 | $5.465 | $5.578 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $5.394 | $5.577 | $5.728 | $6.318 |
“Pump prices appear to be defying the odds at the moment, despite the surge in the cost of oil,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “This uneasy balancing act may last until we get beyond hurricane season and its threats to Gulf Coast oil and gas production and refining.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased from 9.07 to 9.32 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks dropped from 217.4 to 214.7 million bbl. Rising oil prices, higher gas demand, and tighter supply may push pump prices higher.
Governor Newsom Appoints the First Director of New Oil Watchdog
Back on August 1, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed the first director of the new oil watchdog –Petroleum Market Oversight—which is aimed to investigate price gouging and hold “big oil” accountable.
Tai Milder as the first Director of the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight within the California Energy Commission (CEC), a major milestone in the state’s efforts to hold Big Oil accountable following last year’s record gasoline price spikes.
Milder is a seasoned prosecutor and antitrust expert who most recently served the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General. He has successfully investigated and prosecuted companies and individuals that tried to rip off consumers by engaging in price-fixing, bid-rigging, and bribery. Milder also worked at California’s Department of Justice enforcing state antitrust laws against oil and gas companies.
The new oil watchdog office is a key part of Governor Newsom’s gas price gouging law, which was approved during a special session of the Legislature earlier this year and took effect in June. The division will closely monitor the industry on a daily basis to identify irregular or illegal behavior, and will refer any violation of law – including industry misconduct or market manipulation – to the Attorney General for prosecution.
Previous Stories:
- July 1, 2023 – Happy Gas Tax Day California
- March 29, 2023 – Governor Newsom Signs Gas Price Gouging Law
- Feb 21, 2023 – California Republicans Call on Governor to Prevent Summer Gas Price Surge
- Feb 6, 2023 – Governor Newsom Calls for Investigation of High Natural Gas Prices
- Oct 14, 2022 – Governor Gavin Newsom Takes Credit for Lower Gas Prices, Plus Weekly Recap
3 comments
“The new oil watchdog office is a key part of Governor Newsom’s gas price gouging law, which was approved during a special session of the Legislature earlier this year and took effect in June. The division will closely monitor the industry on a daily basis to identify irregular or illegal behavior, and will refer any violation of law – including industry misconduct or market manipulation – to the Attorney General for prosecution.”
Yeah… just like how the PUC is protecting us from PG&E rate hikes.
Too bad there are no refineries in Co Co county, you might get your gas cheaper,
The califukya government makes more money off a gallon of gas than the refineries.
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