There are two gas stations at the intersection of Arden Way and Eastern Avenue in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento County. Their gas prices vary.One gas station sells a regular gallon of gas for $6.29, while it’s $5.91 at the other station.A woman who buys gas daily for the business with the cheaper prices said with the less supply from refineries, it can be difficult to buy fuel for their needs. “Why we see such a variant in gas prices…wholesalers deal with the market and the market changes every day, sometimes twice in a day,” Judy Bradford said. She said she used to buy loads every three to four days, now she is searching for and buying gas every day. She said depending on when she buys the gas means the difference in the price at different pumps. “We get paperwork from wholesalers, and there’s a fluctuation in prices,” Bradford said. “We’re kind of caught in the middle, and we try to keep prices down. When you can take a load, you take a load.”Bradford said they try to be fair to their customers while still trying to make a profit. The average statewide price for a gallon of regular unleaded on Friday was $6.39. That’s up 10 cents from a week ago and $1.11 from a month ago, according to AAA data. | INTERACTIVE | County-by-county look at gas prices in the greater Sacramento regionAnalysts have said that refinery issues — planned and unplanned maintenance — are to blame for issues affecting California prices.”What we’re looking at right now is demand outpacing supply,” Kara Greene, a spokesperson for the Western States Petroleum Association, said earlier this week.Greene said the state’s mounting regulations and taxes have curtailed supply capabilities for oil companies, which has slowed down the industry’s ability to meet heightened demand.Petro companies are on defense after the California Energy Commission sent a letter to five major gas companies Friday, including Chevron, Marathon and Valero, demanding an explanation for the recent price spike. The CEC noted there is a more than $2.50 gap between state and national prices. State officials noted they are aware of refinery and maintenance issues, but said those factors don’t adequately explain the price jump.Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering calling state lawmakers to Sacramento for a special session in response to rising gas prices. The governor has requested the legislature approve a measure that would require oil companies to pay back excessive profits to consumers through a new tax. The legislature finished policymaking for the year on Aug. 31 and can’t begin action on proposals until January, unless the governor calls a special legislative session.Republican lawmakers have called for the state to suspend the state’s 53-cent gas tax. Meanwhile, the first inflation relief payments meant to help Californians dealing with high gas prices are set to hit bank accounts on Friday. –KCRA 3’s Ashley Zavala contributed to this story.
There are two gas stations at the intersection of Arden Way and Eastern Avenue in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento County. Their gas prices vary.
One gas station sells a regular gallon of gas for $6.29, while it’s $5.91 at the other station.
A woman who buys gas daily for the business with the cheaper prices said with the less supply from refineries, it can be difficult to buy fuel for their needs.
“Why we see such a variant in gas prices…wholesalers deal with the market and the market changes every day, sometimes twice in a day,” Judy Bradford said.
She said she used to buy loads every three to four days, now she is searching for and buying gas every day. She said depending on when she buys the gas means the difference in the price at different pumps.
“We get paperwork from wholesalers, and there’s a fluctuation in prices,” Bradford said. “We’re kind of caught in the middle, and we try to keep prices down. When you can take a load, you take a load.”
Bradford said they try to be fair to their customers while still trying to make a profit.
The average statewide price for a gallon of regular unleaded on Friday was $6.39. That’s up 10 cents from a week ago and $1.11 from a month ago, according to AAA data.
| INTERACTIVE | County-by-county look at gas prices in the greater Sacramento region
Analysts have said that refinery issues — planned and unplanned maintenance — are to blame for issues affecting California prices.
“What we’re looking at right now is demand outpacing supply,” Kara Greene, a spokesperson for the Western States Petroleum Association, said earlier this week.
Greene said the state’s mounting regulations and taxes have curtailed supply capabilities for oil companies, which has slowed down the industry’s ability to meet heightened demand.
Petro companies are on defense after the California Energy Commission sent a letter to five major gas companies Friday, including Chevron, Marathon and Valero, demanding an explanation for the recent price spike. The CEC noted there is a more than $2.50 gap between state and national prices. State officials noted they are aware of refinery and maintenance issues, but said those factors don’t adequately explain the price jump.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering calling state lawmakers to Sacramento for a special session in response to rising gas prices.
The governor has requested the legislature approve a measure that would require oil companies to pay back excessive profits to consumers through a new tax. The legislature finished policymaking for the year on Aug. 31 and can’t begin action on proposals until January, unless the governor calls a special legislative session.
Republican lawmakers have called for the state to suspend the state’s 53-cent gas tax.
Meanwhile, the first inflation relief payments meant to help Californians dealing with high gas prices are set to hit bank accounts on Friday.
–KCRA 3’s Ashley Zavala contributed to this story.
