Low utilization, not collusion, support CA gasoline prices.

摘要

According to AAA self-serve regular gasoline prices in California are currently averaging $2.90/gal, significantly higher than the national average of $2.28/gal and above both Alaska ($2.67/gal) and Hawaii ($2.82/gal). Given that the state has the highest gasoline prices in the country, California Attorney General Kamala Harris has ordered an investigation into local refineries to determine if they are colluding to keep gasoline prices in the state persistently higher than the national average. California has previously subpoenaed refiners operating in the state including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Tesoro Corp., and Valero Energy Corp. over price collusion allegations, but these previous investigations found that market factors, not collusion, were the reason why California gasoline prices were persistently higher than the national average. The Western States Petroleum Association, a trade group representing California refiners, says its members will cooperate fully with the latest investigation but believes, like previous investigations, nothing will come of it. Western States Petroleum Association President Catherine Reheis-Boyd said, "I expect the conclusion will be consistent with past findings: market factors are the primary driver of fuel cost in California."