Part 3/12:
The immediate consequence of the refinery fire and broader supply issues is an uptick in gasoline prices. As of early October, gas stations in California and neighboring states have seen prices approaching and surpassing $4 per gallon, with some areas in Arizona and Washington reporting even higher rates. For example, in Phoenix, regular gasoline is hovering around $4.89 per gallon, and in more remote regions, it can approach $6.
This spike deviates from historical seasonal trends, where prices tend to fluctuate predictably in spring and fall. Instead, persistent refinery issues, including the fire and the permanent shutdown of other facilities, have pushed prices well above last year's levels—about 50 cents higher on average—causing widespread frustration among consumers.