It also increases the price in those states. The botique blends required in states like California contribute to the price of gas, screw up distribution, and add extra operating costs for the refineries. We need to settle nationwide on three or four blends, period. Next to Hawaii, California has the highest taxes in the country on gasoline, i.e., 60 cents.
You are absolutely right. When Bush got into office his Secretary of Energy said he was going to get the blends down to about 16. I doubt any blends have gone away. In fact, I would be willing to bet that there are more blends now then then.