Gas Price Spike Was Uniquely Californian

During the first week of Oct, gas prices were falling through much of the country while spiking an unprecedented 50 cents in CA due to some unique circumstances - bad air requiring a unique fuel blend and a 'perfect storm' of refinery mishaps.

2 minute read

October 14, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Journalist Paul Rogers, who covers environmental and science news for the San Jose Mercury News and KQED in San Francisco, explains that there isn't much California can do to prevent gasoline price spikes like the unprecedented 50-cents it experienced the first week of October.

"Skyrocketing gas prices over the past week have been blamed on two key issues: outages at California refineries and the fact that the state requires a unique type of clean-burning summer gasoline that can't be easily replaced or imported from other places during shortages." In addition, "a Chevron pipeline in the Central Valley shut because of high levels of organic chloride found in the gas", the Mercury News reported on Oct. 07. In short, it was the 'perfect storm' that hit the California gasoline production and distribution network.

In fact, California's 14 refineries have produced surplus gasoline due to decreased demand since consumption peaked in 2006 due to decreased driving and more efficient vehicles. Don't expect more refineries to be built.

Rogers explains how California became a 'fuel island' and why it's unlikely to change. Start with the country's dirtiest air, most people, and most vehicles.

"The state's special blend of gasoline dates back to 1971, when Gov. Ronald Reagan's administration required that fuel sold during the summer be refined in a way that causes less evaporation." It was made even cleaner in 1996 by former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. Consequently, air is dramatically cleaner today.

Should California alter the fuel blend to conform to other states' fuels, health problems would rise, including "increased emphysema, asthma and even deaths."

With the state's bad air and concern for public health, one oilman had this to say about preventing these types of price spikes.

"I don't know that there is a solution to this," said Jay McKeeman, vice president of the California Independent Oil Marketers Association. "It's the price we pay for living in California."

Along with the surge in prices has been a surge in transit ridership, at lease in southern California, reports KABC-TV/Los Angeles. On Oct. 9, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.71 in LA and Long Beach, 51 cents more than last week.

"The increasing cost of gas has forced many to take a bus or train. Metrolink says Southern Californians are packing mass transit lines. They have reported a definite increase in ridership, even posting a record of nearly 23,000 riders this weekend."

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in San Jose Mercury News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight