Inland Empire Gasoline Price Rises Sharply

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By City News Service

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire recorded its largest daily increase since May 1 today, rising 7.8 cents to $3.558.

The sharp increase is the result of an extraordinary convergence of fuel supply problems, according to Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, which bills itself as the leading provider of retail fuel pricing information and data.

“The federal government’s report Wednesday identified California supply problems that are compounded by a dearth of imports where they’re most needed,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy’s senior petroleum analyst.

“We’re anticipating increases that could surpass 50 cents a gallon by next week.”

The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties had dropped 48 of the previous 52 days, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 7.5 cents more than one week ago but 9.8 cents less than a month ago and 57.8 cents lower than one year ago.