Listen to the story HERE By Suzanne Potter October 18, 2022 Gas prices have soared in recent months, and local officials are speaking out in support of a windfall tax on companies engaging in price gouging. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called a special legislative session on the topic for Dec. 5. Eduardo Martinez, vice mayor of the city of Richmond, home to a Chevron […]
Listen to the story HERE
By Suzanne Potter
October 18, 2022
Gas prices have soared in recent months, and local officials are speaking out in support of a windfall tax on companies engaging in price gouging.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called a special legislative session on the topic for Dec. 5.
Eduardo Martinez, vice mayor of the city of Richmond, home to a Chevron refinery, said he supports a windfall tax and a drilling tax similar to one charged by the state of Alaska.
“It’s apparent that this situation is the consequence of the five big oil refiners in California who make 97% of the gasoline – controlling the supply to artificially drive up prices,” Martinez said. “A windfall profits tax solution that takes excessive profits out of the hands of oil corporations and puts money back into the hands of consumers surely deserves a special session.”
In a recent blog post, the Independent Petroleum Association of America wrote the price is determined by supply and demand. In addition, oil-producing countries recently cut production, and several refineries have also gone down for planned maintenance.
Igor Tregub, of Elected Officials to Protect America and environmental caucus chair for the California Democratic Party, said it still would not account for the large gasoline price spikes in California.
“In 2019, several refineries shut down at the same time,” Tregub said. “The price spike at that time was a mere 34 cents. So refinery pre-scheduled maintenance is not a credible explanation for the sudden $1.54 increase in what refineries charge for every gallon of gas.”
A recent report from Consumer Watchdog found California consumers paid $2.61 per gallon higher gas prices than the average U.S. price as of early October.
The average price in California this week stands at $6.05 per gallon.
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References:
Gas price statement Calif. Energy Commission 10/05/2022
Windfall tax Office of the Governor 09/30/2022
Gas price commentary Independent Petroleum Assn. of America 10/04/2022
Profit analysis Consumer Watchdog Oct. 2022
Gas prices AAA 2022
