LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 11th time in 12 days, increasing 1.1 cents to $4.296, its highest amount since July 16, 2015.
The average price has risen 5 cents over the past 12 days, including 1.1 cents on Friday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 4.6 cents more than one week ago, 10.2 cents higher than one month ago and $1.224 greater than one year ago.
The average price has risen $1.064 since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price rose for the sixth time in seven days, increasing 1.5 cents to $4.254, its highest amount since July 18, 2015. It is 5.1 cents more than one week ago, 10.3 cents higher than one month ago and $1.197 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price has risen $1.046 since the start of the year.
``The biggest reasons for prices increasing as much as they have in the past six months is the fact that oil increased to $73 per barrel from less than $49 per barrel since January and increased demand because of more people returning to a work commute,'' Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager, told City News Service.
The Chevron refinery in El Segundo and Phillips 66 refinery both reported flaring incidents to the South Coast Air Quality Management District in recent days.
``Typically, that means an interruption in production,'' reduced supplies and higher prices, Spring said.
The large price increases from one year ago are partially the result of significant decreases during the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic, when driving and demand dropped substantially because of stay-at-home orders intended to reduce the spread of the virus.