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Consumer Watchdog

Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.
Why Are Gas Prices Rising In California?

Why Are Gas Prices Rising In California?

<p><b>Gas prices are expected to jump on Friday in southern California, but the rest of the country's increase should be more seasonal and incremental.</b></p> <p>Southern California's gas prices are expected to jump as much as 37 cents per gallon on Friday, but it should not be a bellwether for the nation.</p>
California Gas Prices Expected To Jump Overnight, Possibly 30 Cents By Weekend

California Gas Prices Expected To Jump Overnight, Possibly 30 Cents By Weekend

<p>The slide in California’s gasoline prices could abruptly end Friday, with prices possibly jumping 30 cents a gallon due to seasonal changes in the state’s refinery operations, a consumer advocacy group predicted Thursday.</p> <p>“The move marks an end to fire-sale prices on remaining winter stocks” of gasoline, Consumer Watchdog said.</p> <p>Prices often climb in California this time of year because refineries switch from the winter blend of fuel to the more expensive summer blend required in the state.</p>
Gas Prices Are Expected To Spike In California Soon

Gas Prices Are Expected To Spike In California Soon

<p>If you were impatiently waiting for the price of gas to drop below $2, summer-blend would like to have a word with you.</p> <p>Gas prices in Southern California are expected to climb 30 cents by Friday, according to advocacy group Consumer Watchdog <a href="http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/02/24/consumer-watchdog-warns-socal-drivers-of-upcoming-gas-price-spike/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a report on CBS</a>.</p>
Consumer Watchdog Warns Calif. Drivers Of Upcoming Gas Price Spike

Consumer Watchdog Warns Calif. Drivers Of Upcoming Gas Price Spike

<p><strong>LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)</strong> — Gas prices in California are predicted to climb due to a switch to summer blend, according to consumer advocates.</p> <p>Consumer Watchdog says prices will spike 30 cents by Friday, explaining that the Los Angeles wholesale market jumped 52 cents per gallon because of the switch.</p>
Goodbye Cheap Gas Prices, Forthcoming ‘Summer-Blend’ .30 Cents More

Goodbye Cheap Gas Prices, Forthcoming ‘Summer-Blend’ .30 Cents More

<p>Gas prices are about to soar dramatically, possibly increasing by 30 cents a gallon by the weekend, consumer advocates and an industry expert said Thursday.</p> <p>The increases are tied to the forthcoming switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is designed to reduce pollution in warmer weather and costs more to produce. Wholesale prices jumped 51 or 52 cents a gallon this week because of the summer-blend issue, they said.</p>
Southern California Drivers Could See Spike In Gasoline Prices Soon

Southern California Drivers Could See Spike In Gasoline Prices Soon

<div class="article__content"> <p>Despite recent slides in gasoline prices, Southern California drivers could be facing sticker shock at the pumps beginning this weekend after the state’s biggest oil refiners raised wholesale prices charged to gas station owners by 37 cents, warns nonprofit group <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/search/results?q=Consumer%20Watchdog">Consumer Watchdog</a></p>
Gas Prices Getting Higher Again

Gas Prices Getting Higher Again

<div> <p>Gas prices are inching higher in the Bay Area, but just be thankful you don’t have to fill-up in Southern California where prices could jump 37 cents a gallon this weekend.</p> <p>The Consumer Watchdog group said Thursday that the switch to the state’s more expensive summer blend of fuel triggered the increase.</p> <p>But the impact will not be as severe in Northern California. Maybe a dime or 20 cents.</p>
Fill Up Now! Gas Prices Near Palm Desert Could Skyrocket by Weekend

Fill Up Now! Gas Prices Near Palm Desert Could Skyrocket by Weekend

<p><strong>According to the warning by a consumer advocate group, a return to the $3-range is imminent.</strong></p> <p>Gas prices are about to soar dramatically, possibly increasing by 30 cents a gallon by the weekend, consumer advocates and an industry expert said Thursday.</p> <p>The increases are tied to the forthcoming switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is designed to reduce pollution in warmer weather and costs more to produce. Wholesale prices jumped 51 or 52 cents a gallon this week because of the summer-blend issue, they said.</p>
Didn’t Gas Prices Just Go Down? Expect Hike Soon

Didn’t Gas Prices Just Go Down? Expect Hike Soon

<div class="js-pagination" data-maxpages="1"> <div class="story__content__body p402_premium story__content__body "> <p>SAN DIEGO - If you were enjoying the recent low gas prices across California, brace yourself because you will start paying more again.</p> <p>The nonprofit group <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/consumer-watchdog-tells-so-cal-drivers-fill-now-gas-prices-rise-quickly-major-refiners-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Watchdog</a> warned Souther California drivers on Thursday that they would be facing sticker shock at the gas pumps beginning this weekend.</p>
Gas Prices Expected To Jump 30 Cent Throughout California In March

Gas Prices Expected To Jump 30 Cent Throughout California In March

<div>The hike starts this weekend in Southern California, but the effects will spread to Northern California soon.</div> <div> </div> <div>Caroline Martin typically spent 75 bucks to fill up her SUV.  "That's a big fortune especially if you're on a budget," said Martin.</div> <div> </div> <div>Consumer Watchdog said we're in for a big change.</div> <div> </div> <div>"We're warning all California drivers to fuel up as soon as possible," said Consumer Watchdog president Jaime Court.</div> <div> </div>
Gas Price Gouging Indications Grow Stronger

Gas Price Gouging Indications Grow Stronger

<div> <p>As corporate profit reports rolled in this winter from the gasoline refining industry, the case for gas price gouging grew steadily stronger.</p> <p>Start with the profits of the largest refiners operating in California. Then proceed to strange activities by an oil tanker, Exxon Mobil’s SR American Progress. Close with hard figures provided by the state Energy Commission’s senior fuels specialist during a mid-February hearing. Look also at the almost 80-cent price differential between gasoline here and the average price everywhere else in the continental U.S.</p>