LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today to its highest amount since July 22, 2015, increasing 2.8 cents to $4.238
The average price has increased 17 consecutive days, rising 49.4 cents, including 6 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 33.7 cents higher than one week ago, 57.3 cents higher than one month ago and 37.9 cents greater than one year ago. It has risen 84.7 cents since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price also rose to its highest amount since July 22, 2015, increasing 2.5 cents to $4.209. It has risen 57.3 cents since Sept. 17, including 6 cents Wednesday.
The Orange County average price is 33.4 cents more than one week ago, 57.3 cents higher than one month ago and 39.1 cents greater than one year ago. It has risen 86 cents since the start of the year.
The rising prices are the result of diminished supply primarily caused by unplanned maintenance issues at the Chevron and Marathon refineries in Los Angeles County and the absence of imported gasoline, according to Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
The lack of imports means area refineries do not have some ingredients needed to make the summer blend of gasoline, contributing to the diminished supply, said Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Stations in most areas of Southern California are required to continue selling summer blend gasoline until Oct. 31.
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