Gas Prices in Northern California at All-Time High

Drivers filling their gas tanks are experiencing a first class case of "sticker shock." Gas prices across the nation are at an all-time high. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Sacramento area is $1.97.

Northern California is following a nationwide trend toward escalating gas prices. According the the Lundberg Survey, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. is $1.76. The price has jumped more than eight cents per gallon in the last two weeks.

Eureka, on California's north coast, holds the dubious distinction of having the highest gasoline prices in the country, with the average gallon or regular unleaded selling for $2.10. Experts say that because Eureka is remote from refining centers and walled off by mountains, transportation costs make gasoline somewhat more expensive than elsewhere in the state. The rough news for consumers is that it appears prices are still far from their peak. USA Today reported today that Shell and Chevron dealers in California say they have been told to prepare for the possibility of $3.00 per gallon gasoline this summer.

Many people are looking to Washington for relief, but President Bush says there's nothing he can do. Spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters this morning Bush is opposed to price controls and does not support cutting the 18.4 cent per gallon federal gas tax.

People in Sacramento are doing what they can to minimize the sting of higher prices. "I sell real estate so I drive around town all day long," said Michael Heede of Sacramento. "Now I try to group up my business with my errands."

Mary Herrera says she is thinking of moving closer to her Roseville job and scrapping her summer vacation plans. "I was actually going to make a road trip with a friend of mine from Nebraska, but we're thinking of not doing it now."

Story posted May 7, 2001 - 11:05 am

http://www.kxtv.com/news-story/May2001/050701/GasPrices.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), May 07, 2001

Answers

I have friends living in Northern California, and they attest to all of this.

-- Uncle Fred (dogboy45@bigfoot.com), May 07, 2001.