News Summary
Gas prices in Los Angeles have dropped to $4.479 per gallon, the lowest since January. This marks a trend with prices down for three consecutive days and 14.1 cents lower than last year. Meanwhile, Orange County’s prices remained steady. While California faces a tax hike and regulatory changes that may impact prices, experts provide mixed predictions for future costs. Enjoy the current lower prices while they last.
Los Angeles Gas Prices See a Drop
Hey there, Los Angeles! If you’re pumping gas this week, you might notice something a bit cheerful at the pump. Gas prices in our sunny city have dipped to a friendly $4.479 per gallon of self-serve regular gasoline. This latest figure is the lowest we’ve seen since January 16 of this year, making it a nice little break for the wallets of many Angelenos.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Now, let’s chat about the details. This drop of just a teeny tiny three-tenths of a cent might feel minimal, but it aligns with a positive trend. In fact, this marks a little streak with gas prices down for three consecutive days, totaling a cheerful decline of 1.3 cents overall! If we peek back a week, the average price has slid down by 2.5 cents. Just a month ago, it was a sweeter 16.2 cents less, and when looking back a year, we’re down a whopping 14.1 cents—now that’s something to smile about!
To put it in perspective, last October, we were gripping our wallets at a mighty high of $6.493 per gallon. Can you believe how far we’ve come with a remarkable decrease of about $2.014 since those record-high days? A small sigh of relief for sure!
Orange County Keeps Steady
Head on over to Orange County, and the buzz feels rather static. The average price for gasoline stayed put at $4.426, breaking up a comforting pattern of six dips in seven days. Even though it didn’t budge, it’s still about 2 cents less than it was a week ago and 11.5 cents lower than last year. Every penny counts, even if they’re not rolling downhill quite as swiftly.
The Bigger Picture
While the gas prices are softening here, it’s a mixed bag on the national stage. The average price in the U.S. crept back up to $3.162, increasing by seven-tenths of a cent over just three days. Comparatively, it’s still a teeny bit pricier than last week but down significantly overall from last year’s prices.
Future Price Changes Ahead
So, what’s coming next? Well, hold onto your hats, because California drivers will see a gas tax hike of nearly 2 cents per gallon, starting July 1. This increase will bump the total tax from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents. Remember, this tax helps fund our roads and was put in place back in 2017.
Adding to the mix are some upcoming stricter environmental fuel standards, set to take effect soon, which could cause prices to nudge upwards as well. This has sparked a bit of controversy, with some lawmakers expressing concerns that these new carbon standards might put a strain on our already tight budgets. There’s even a petition out there aimed at getting the gas tax raised repealed, with more than 39,000 signatures backing it!
What Experts Are Saying
When it comes to predicting the future, a study by the University of Pennsylvania suggests gas prices could climb by as much as 65 cents higher. However, some academic researchers have anticipated a more moderate increase of around 5 to 8 cents per gallon. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has disputed the dire predictions, standing firm on the potential for these new regulations to save our environment.
What Happens This Summer?
As always, summer brings its own surprises. Experts predict that California’s gas prices may tick upwards due to changes in state sales tax and stricter regulations for refineries. But on the bright side, discussions surrounding potential legislative actions could help cap fuel credit costs and possibly ease the pinch at the pump.
While changes loom on the horizon, it’s important to stay informed and prepared for whatever the gas pump may bring. For now, enjoy the lower prices while they last, Los Angeles!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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California Gas Prices Set to Rise with New Tax and Standards
Rising Pension Obligations Strain Finances of Orange County Cities
Gas Prices in Los Angeles Remain High Despite Recent Changes
Los Angeles Gas Prices Slightly Drop
Gas Prices Drop in Los Angeles, Offering Relief to Drivers
Huntington Beach Plans Major Oil Land Transformation
Price Drops in Los Angeles But Future Concerns Loom
California Gas Prices Set to Rise: What to Expect
Gas Prices in Los Angeles and Orange Counties Drop
Additional Resources
- Stacker: How Gas Prices Have Changed in Los Angeles
- NBC Los Angeles: Gas Prices Rise on July 1
- LAist: Controversial Climate Rule Could Raise Gas Prices
- Los Angeles Times: Higher Costs at the Gas Pump in July
- Newsweek: California Gas Prices Hike
- Wikipedia: Gasoline
- Google Search: California gas prices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gasoline
- Google News: California gas prices
- Politico: Newsom on California Fuel Standards
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
