Californians are now paying more for gas than any other state.
The state’s laws about gas and mandatory manufacturing of eco-friendly blends have driven up the price to fill up a tank to record highs, averaging $4.75 a gallon on July 15 and creating a huge financial burden for many Americans already struggling under the weight of inflation.
The national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.52, a full $1.25 less than the average price in California, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Related: Massachusetts Offers to Pay for Plane Tickets for Migrants to Leave
Why? Largely because the Golden State adds excessive regulations that amount to an additional 60 cents per gallon above the regular cost of gas. For example, in the summer months, the state requires a specific eco-friendly blend that makes gas 20 cents per gallon more expensive. They also add a federal excise tax, 27 cents a gallon for the state’s cap-and-trade program, a low-carbon fuel tax of 11 cents per gallon, about 2 cents for underground gas storage fees, and another 3.7 percent in state and local taxes.
These gas prices are unbelievably high and are only increasing because of additional regulations, blends, and taxes that are making it more and more difficult for Americans to afford. Of course, the states with the highest prices, California, Hawaii, Washington State, and Oregon, are all blue states.