This was reported on February 18.......2003. We've been hearing about "shocking" gas prices forever. From a historic perspective, we're still paying nothing. Much ado...
Consider yourself lucky. $2.26 for regular in Camarillo, CA, an hour west of L.A. I think the price yesterday for premium where I filled up was around $2.46.
The OPEC cartel's recent cut in production combined with horrendous taxes, shortages caused by the seasonal refinery changeover from heating oil to gasoline, California's idiotic gasoline additive regulations and the lower value of the dollar against the Euro are all factors.