Isolation? Bull crap. I remember reading that local CA environmental laws have 32 different "blending" rules for distillate fuels to keep the tree-huggers happy. On top of that, CA fights any proposed power or refinery construction, outlaws offshore drilling, and otherwise throttles production and supply at every turn. Not a problem as long as they are happy paying for their wishes.
It seems to me that virtually EACH and EVERY problem I read or hear about concerning California can be labeled as “proudly” SELF-INFLICTED.
A dire water shortage can be traced directly to-——.
A heavy rise in fuel price can be traced directly to—.
A scary rise in crime can be traced directly to-——.
You’d think that at least a few retain some sanity.
I guess NOT.
The fuel blending rquirements ae the single biggest reason for higher prices. ONE refinery can make ONE bled at a time. That lead to shortages, like we see in the midwest all the time.
In our area, the ONLY refinery that prduces this blend is Amaco in Gary. A problem, fire, maint. shutdown, etc. causes prices to go up.
Get rid of the blending rules, and gas will drop DRAMATICALLY, due to competition.