Part 8/12:
The economic repercussions are palpable. As refining capacity diminishes, so does the availability of affordable fuel. With approximately 1/5 of the state's oil production gone, the remaining refineries must produce a specialized blend of gasoline, which further constrains supply and pushes prices upward. Currently, average gas prices in California hover around $4.66 per gallon—nearly $1.50 above the national average—and are projected to climb higher.