Southern California Gas Prices Continue Upward Hike
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 18, 2001--Southern California and statewide gas prices posted increases for the third straight month in response to increasing wholesale prices, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's monthly Fuel Gauge report.The Southern California average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $1.67, up 5 cents from the August average of $1.62. However, this month's average price is still down 34 cents from June. Statewide, the average gas price is 10 cents higher at $1.73, due primarily to double-digit increases in Northern California where the average price of regular gasoline jumped 17 cents to $1.80.
Nationally, the average price for regular unleaded climbed 15 cents to $1.54 since Aug. 15, but prices have increased less than one penny since last Tuesday. Following last week's attack, OPEC announced it would increase oil output if necessary to protect the world economy. Major oil companies held the line, or rolled back wholesale gasoline prices, while warning distributors and retailers to do the same.
"While there may have been some market uncertainty due to the attacks last Tuesday, the response by OPEC, U.S. oil companies and government agencies shows us that such coordinated action can be extremely effective in calming public worry about this vital commodity," said Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer. "Consumers in Southern California also need to know that inventories currently are sufficient to meet their needs."
In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:
County Unl Pre Imperial County El Centro 1.950 1.999 Kern County Bakersfield 1.516 1.694 Los Angeles County Alhambra 1.597 1.729 Arcadia 1.643 1.899 Burbank 1.615 1.755 Culver City 1.703 1.742 Glendale 1.612 1.775 Glendora 1.606 1.699 Inglewood 1.661 1.839 Lancaster 1.535 1.689 Long Beach 1.640 1.797 Los Angeles 1.651 1.806 Manhattan Beach 1.616 1.819 Montebello 1.663 1.794 Santa Clarita 1.515 1.679 Santa Monica 1.688 1.849 Van Nuys 1.586 1.721 Whittier 1.645 1.786 Woodland Hills 1.631 1.832 Orange County Anaheim 1.607 1.809 Fullerton 1.762 1.883 Huntington Beach 1.621 1.726 La Habra 1.559 1.719 Laguna Beach 1.769 1.999 Newport Beach 1.751 1.932 San Clemente 1.752 1.932 Tustin 1.679 1.764 Riverside County Blythe 1.863 1.948 Hemet 1.630 1.735 Palm Springs 1.672 1.839 Riverside 1.610 1.727 San Bernardino County Redlands 1.672 1.844 San Bernardino 1.621 1.729 Victorville 1.545 1.679 San Diego County Chula Vista 1.723 1.886 Del Mar 1.759 1.843 Escondido 1.690 1.838 Oceanside 1.713 1.855 San Diego 1.736 1.877 San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo 1.717 1.879 Santa Barbara County Lompoc 1.809 1.914 Santa Barbara 1.745 1.836 Santa Maria 1.722 1.799 Tulare County Porterville 1.608 1.734 Visalia 1.512 1.687 Ventura County Ventura 1.677 1.827 Southern Calif. Avg. 1.669 1.811
The Auto Club's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data gathered from monitoring fuel transactions at 2,800 Southern California gas stations. Oil Price Information Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information, provides the data.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.