High RivCo Gas Prices Not Due To Shortages: Auto Club

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County recorded its largest daily increase since March 13 Friday, rising 1.5 cents to $4.379, its highest amount since Oct. 23, 2012.

The average price has risen nine times in 11 days, increasing 5.4 cents, including six-tenths of a cent Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose five consecutive days, dropped one-tenth of a cent Sunday and was unchanged Monday before resuming increasing on Tuesday.

The average price is 2.9 cents more than one week ago, 7.1 cents higher than one month ago and $1.244 greater than one year ago.

"The last time that prices were this high, it was in response to a shortage of summer blend gasoline and the governor (Jerry Brown) stepped in to allow early sales of winter blend to alleviate the crisis," said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.

"This year, there is not a shortage crisis, and the high prices are due to a combination of higher oil prices, inflationary pressures which add to higher overhead costs for gas stations, carbon costs for refineries and higher taxes."

The 2012 figure included stations in San Bernardino County.