California gas prices on the rise

The causes and effects of higher prices at the pump

COLIN MULLANEY / ASST. NEWS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

While native Californians are accustomed to seeing higher gas prices than the rest of the United States, even those familiar with paying more at the pump have noticed a recent spike. As the national average cost of gas reaches a new high of $4.17 per gallon, the cost of gas in California has also risen to an average of $5.44 per gallon, according to the New York Times. 

This noticeable change has many speculating about the causes behind it and wondering how it might affect their day-to-day lives. Whether it be the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the supply chain crisis that plagued the U.S. during COVID-19, inflation, gas companies vying for a profit, or a simple increase in demand, it is difficult to pinpoint one singular factor. 

Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the U.S. announced that it will no longer import Russian oil, as part of its retaliatory sanctions against the country, according to the White House. This announcement came in conjunction with sanctions by the European Union to condemn Russian President Putin’s actions and dissuade further expansion of his authority and economic influence. Previously, the United States had imported 700,000 barrels of crude oil and petroleum a day from Russia, the equivalent of billions of dollars annually, the White House stated. 

In order to counter the economic burden of banning Russian oil imports on everyday American families and consumers, the White House committed to releasing more than 90 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve this year and to, “speed up- not slow down- our transition to a clean energy future.”

As a commuter student, USD freshman Claire Fernandez must drive regularly between her home, job, and school; Fernandez feels the brunt of gas’ higher cost.

 “I’ve started having to decide what trips are worth it or not, because it’s over $100 to fill up my tank,” Fernandez said. 

 Fernandez believes that the rising cost of gas is not only a result of recent global events, but a somewhat elitist attitude toward fossil fuels by politicians.

“In short it’s Newsom and Biden. EPA laws don’t help either,” Fernandez stated.“We have so many ‘green’ laws that regulate how California gets and distributes gas, and it raises prices that way.” 

 Fernandez may be referring to California’s state gasoline tax of 51.1 cents per gallon, which is the second-highest in the country after Pennsylvania, as noted by the Federation of Tax Administrators. Regulations and taxes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions add an average of $1.27 to the consumer cost of a gallon of gasoline in California. Additionally, the New York Times reported that the cost of gas in California may increase even more in July, when prices are set to be artificially adjusted for rising inflation.

Fernandez is not alone in her status as a commuter at USD, in fact she is in the majority. In her thesis research project, graduate student Jocelyn Velasquez stated, “44% of undergraduate students [at USD] live on campus… meaning half the student population is made up of commuter students.” Whether walkers or drivers, students who commute to campus for classes must make strategic decisions about the best options available to them, and the cost of gas is only one factor in that decision. 

However, commuters may not be the only students affected by a gas price increase either. USD tram services run continual loops of campus from 6:45 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., as well as morning and afternoon shuttles from USD to the Old Town Transit Center. In order to pay for this transportation service, undergraduate students on campus at USD pay an average of $324 per year, according to the latest estimated annual student expenses. Naturally, an increase in gas prices may affect even those undergraduate students who do not drive to and from campus. 

Perhaps with the exception of electric car manufacturers and investors, generally, nobody wants a spike in gas prices nationwide. The increase is bound to have an effect on nearly all segments of the population and nearly all members of the USD campus community, commuter or otherwise. However, understanding the economic and political reality behind price fluctuations may also inspire hope that fluctuations are often temporary.