California gas prices soar, leading to most expensive in the US

(US MEDIA GROUP) – California residents are facing some of the highest gas prices in the nation, with the state average reaching over $5 per gallon and some gas stations in Sacramento charging an eye-watering $5.790 per gallon. According to economists, several factors are contributing to the soaring prices, including international tensions, increased summer demand, state emission requirements, and California’s high gas tax. The current state average of $5.07 for a gallon of regular gas is down slightly from last month, when it reached a record high of $5.73. However, compared to this time last year, prices have increased by nearly 50 cents per gallon, making it a costly summer for Californians at the pump. Economists point to tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as major factors in the rise of gas prices. With the possibility of oil supply disruptions in these regions, investors are driving up prices as a precaution. Additionally, as summer approaches and more people hit the road for vacations, the demand for gas increases, driving prices up even further. Another major contributor to high gas prices in California is the state’s strict emission requirements. In order to combat air pollution, California...