LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 25th time in the past 26 days, increasing one cent to $3.436, its highest amount since March 14.
The average price has risen 20.5 cents over the past 26 days, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 7.2 cents more than one week ago and 21.8 cents higher than one month ago, but 16.1 cents less than one year ago.
The Orange County average price rose for the 23rd consecutive day to its highest amount since March 11, increasing nine-tenths of a cent to $3.420. It has risen 20.2 cents over the past 23 days.
The Orange County average price is 7.1 cents more than one week ago and 22.2 cents higher than a month ago, but 12.2 cents less than one year ago.
“Gas prices are rising in anticipation of switching to the summer blend of gasoline'' which costs more to produce, Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California told City News Service.
“Although that switch is not required to happen until April 1 in most parts of Southern California, in reality the pipeline schedule has the refineries start shipping summer blend in early February. OPIS and other oil industry analysts expect price increases to continue into February as the switchover happens.''
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