Refinery Woes Send Gas Prices Soaring At The Pump
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — Gas prices across California are averaging $1 above the national average and refineries are being blamed for the higher prices.
A gallon of gas will cost you $3.79 in San Francisco, $3.57 in San Jose, and $3.56 in Oakland. The national average is $2.67. Prices jumped nearly 40 cents in one week.
The Valero refinery in Benicia is one of the reasons why.
The refinery experienced a malfunction at the beginning of the month and on Saturday it triggered plumes of thick gray smoke to be emitted from the facility. The particles emitted are called “coke” a byproduct of the refinery process, they’re made mostly from carbon particles.
Health officials say the air quality never reached dangerous levels but they did discourage outdoor activity.