California strangles itself with fuel prices

Sacramento Bee ^ | 9/13/9 | Bob Sturtz

[SmithL]

California's gasoline taxes are 43 percent higher than the national average, according to a recent study by University of California and California State University economists. Since 1997, Californians have paid up to 60 cents more per gallon of gas than residents of other states. That is simply unacceptable. Major fuel consumers and employers in this state, like United Airlines, who rely heavily on affordable fuel prices, are being hit hard by these California-only fuel polices.

What causes this disparity in fuel prices? It's simple: California prices are increasingly inflated by the state's policies, taxes and fees. These California-specific rules and regulations ignore the ripple effect on fuel prices and availability for businesses and consumers alike, especially during these economically challenging times.

The cost of petroleum here – including the thousands of pounds of jet fuel that keep my company's airplanes flying – is well above the national average. A recent media report noted that average fuel prices in three California cities – Bakersfield, San Francisco and Santa Barbara – are higher than Honolulu, where every drop of fuel must come by ship, with shipping costs passed on directly to consumers. In Sacramento, fuel prices recently rose more than 18 cents per gallon in a single week, drastically outpacing the national average.

As California fuel prices continue to soar, the new UC/CSU study details the disastrous effects this unchecked upward momentum could have on large and small industries and companies that do business here.

[SierraWasp]

Ok, I’ll git back in the roadside weeds...

[old gringo]

you have to have a fuel permit and every time you enter thu.aport of entry it is recorded and you pay quartly