State Lawmakers Set To Discuss Recent Rise In Gas Prices
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — State lawmakers have scheduled two hearings for March to discuss the recent spike in gas prices in California.
As KCAL9's Erica Nochlin reports, the price of fuel has jumped at least 70 cents per gallon in California since Feb. 1.
"One day I noticed, 'Wait, it just jumped up almost a dollar and something! All in the matter of days,' "Mikkel Aranas, a consumer, said.
That's why Consumer Watchdog of Santa Monica called on lawmakers to tighten their hold on the oil industry, especially after the explosion at an ExxonMobil Corp. refinery in Torrance and other recent shutdowns in the state.
"It's all fines that are really pretty meaningless just the cost of doing business to these companies," Consumer Advocate Liza Tucker said. "We really want the executives in the hot seat. We have a long list of questions to ask them."
The California Senate responded calling for two hearings on both possible price manipulation and safety concerns.
"A refinery explosion in populated areas raises significant concerns about public safety, emergency response, as well as the safety of California's energy infrastructure," California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) announced.
A petroleum trade association says it welcomes the investigation as it has dozens of times before.
"Every time, the investigation reaches the same conclusion: supply and demand are what determine the price of fuel in California, and never, not once, have those investigations found any improper conduct on the part of the oil industry," said Western States Petroleum Association in a statement.
But Consumer Watchdog advocates feels that's spinning the truth and want more answers.
As Nochlin reports, California is unique because 14 refineries in the state produce most of the gas used here due to environmental regulations and is why issues with even one refinery can have such a big impact.
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