Gas Prices See Sharp Increase Near Murrieta

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire recorded its largest increase since April 12 Wednesday, rising 3.6 cents to $2.461.

The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties has risen six of the past seven days and is 6.2 cents more than one week ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

However, it is 18.2 cents less than one month ago and $1.14.1 lower than one year ago thanks to a 22-day streak of decreases immediately before the current string of increases began.

The rising pump prices are caused by rising wholesale prices stemming from lower anticipated production as refiners begin the process of converting to producing summer blend gasoline and also because of a strike at the Tesoro refinery in Carson, according to Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The Tesoro refinery “is still operational because they have brought in replacement workers, so if it becomes clear that production has not been affected, prices could settle back down or plateau,” Montgomery told City News Service.

– By City News Service.

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