How 'Summer Blend' Gasoline is Making Your Murrieta Prices Higher

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire rose Wednesday for the sixth consecutive day, increasing 1.8 cents to $2.465, after dropping 48 times in 49 days.

The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties has risen 14.3 cents over the past six days, including 1.9 cents on Tuesday, and is 13.6 cents higher than one week ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

However, the average price is 23 cents less than a month ago and 97.2 cents lower than this time last year, thanks to dropping 71.3 cents during the stretch of 48 decreases in 49 days, falling to its lowest amount since April 27, 2009.

The increases at the pump follow increases in the Los Angeles wholesale price, including a 51-cent per gallon rise on last Wednesday, which were mainly the result of futures investments for March gasoline and problems by refineries in producing the summer blend of gasoline, according to Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.

Regulations require most Southern California gas stations to switch to selling summer blend fuel by April 1. The summer blend gasoline reduces air pollution in warmer temperatures and is more expensive to produce.

— By City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.