(06-16-2026 07:27 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:09 PM)450bench Wrote:  $2.99 at Memphis-Arlington and Hwy 70 as early as this weekend.

Wow, my best is at $3.54 today.

we're in the 3.20s to 3.60s ... I expect dimes to begin peeling off every handful of days in the 'burg over the next month before it levels out (expecting 2.20/gal by labor day)

as I've stated many a time, I fully accepted the volatility in this version of the game by supporting Operation Fury out of the gate ... I was willing to accept this short-term pain for the longer-term gain...

I have zero quibbles how this has all played out...

(06-17-2026 06:00 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:27 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:09 PM)450bench Wrote:  $2.99 at Memphis-Arlington and Hwy 70 as early as this weekend.

Wow, my best is at $3.54 today.

we're in the 3.20s to 3.60s ... I expect dimes to begin peeling off every handful of days in the 'burg over the next month before it levels out (expecting 2.20/gal by labor day)

as I've stated many a time, I fully accepted the volatility in this version of the game by supporting Operation Fury out of the gate ... I was willing to accept this short-term pain for the longer-term gain...

I have zero quibbles how this has all played out...

Unlike the pearl clutchers and teeth gnashers, most of us here understood that there was going to be a little pain, some short-term "sacrifices," before this broke in our favor. Despite what the talking worms around here and across the country are saying, we accomplished our initial and most important goals. They have no functional military to speak of, their economy is in the crapper, their critical leaders have all been sent to Allah, and they have been stopped dead in their tracks on the road to building a nuke.

#winning

Edit: And it ain't over. We didn't just walk in and do all the above and then leave the Iranian people to deal with it. I've always been against nation-building unless it included completely subjugating an enemy to our will and allowed us to help rebuild infrastructure and form a functional republic in the true sense of the word so that the running of the country could be left up to its citizens.

(06-16-2026 03:56 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

California raised gas taxes between those two dates.

July 2026 – June 2027: $0.634 per gallon
July 2025 – June 2026: $0.612 per gallon
July 2024 – June 2025: $0.596 per gallon
July 2023 – June 2024: $0.579 per gallon
July 2022 – June 2023: $0.539 per gallon
July 2021 – June 2022: $0.511 per gallon
July 2020 – June 2021: $0.505 per gallon
July 2019 – June 2020: $0.473 per gallon
Nov 2017 – June 2019: $0.417 per gallon

Gas prices continue to decline in my area per AAA and WBIR.

Current: $3.55 per gallon
Week ago: $3.71 per gallon
2022 peak under Biden: $5.16 per gallon (adjusted for inflation)

I plan to fill up the truckster on Friday right before heading for a family trip to Dollywood in hopes the price continues to fall.

(06-17-2026 06:51 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:56 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

California raised gas taxes between those two dates.

July 2026 – June 2027: $0.634 per gallon
July 2025 – June 2026: $0.612 per gallon
July 2024 – June 2025: $0.596 per gallon
July 2023 – June 2024: $0.579 per gallon
July 2022 – June 2023: $0.539 per gallon
July 2021 – June 2022: $0.511 per gallon
July 2020 – June 2021: $0.505 per gallon
July 2019 – June 2020: $0.473 per gallon
Nov 2017 – June 2019: $0.417 per gallon
[/quote]

>50% increase over 9 years with ever escalating debt while driving out their top shelf tax base w/o the ability to print $$$ ... what could go wrong ... imagine if they had control over the federal purse strings ...

(06-17-2026 07:09 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 06:51 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:56 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

California raised gas taxes between those two dates.

July 2026 – June 2027: $0.634 per gallon
July 2025 – June 2026: $0.612 per gallon
July 2024 – June 2025: $0.596 per gallon
July 2023 – June 2024: $0.579 per gallon
July 2022 – June 2023: $0.539 per gallon
July 2021 – June 2022: $0.511 per gallon
July 2020 – June 2021: $0.505 per gallon
July 2019 – June 2020: $0.473 per gallon
Nov 2017 – June 2019: $0.417 per gallon

>50% increase over 9 years with ever escalating debt while driving out their top shelf tax base w/o the ability to print $$$ ... what could go wrong ... imagine if they had control over the federal purse strings ...


[/quote]

yep. Every July. And thats just their state tax dumbassery. It doesnt even include other logistics and mandate dumbassery.

So Tom, because you are dense and wont get it, Trump lowered gas prices in California by at least 21 cents per gallon between those two dates, and the libturds in charge increased it by 22 cents per gallon. And that doesnt even count the additional lowering Trump did that was offset by the increase due to the logistics and mandate dumbassery of the state.

It isn't a secret that CAs goal is to do away with gas powered vehicles. They don't realize when that happens, they will put themselves out of business. I'm sure their revenue "forecasts" show the amount of fuel consumption and therefore, fuel tax revenue will increase going forward. Socialist economics. Penalize a revenue source and not have the foresight those revenues will decrease due to consumers decrease in using the service.

(06-16-2026 04:23 PM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 04:06 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 02:48 PM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 02:47 PM)gdunn Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 02:44 PM)Eldonabe Wrote:  




Step right up, spin the wheel and win some crap!

I don't think it's a profit deal. Most of the gas in the tanks was purchased by providers (stations) weeks ago and they're trying to break even. Gas stations make very little off gas.. They make money off instore items.

Prices are based on competition. There's a reason when one station drops/raises their prices the other stations around them change their prices too, and they aren't getting their gas from the same place or at the same time.

Nice thing is we are going to get to see in real time who's right very very soon, and there's not going to be any ambiguity about it.

Actually, the bet you and I have doesn't expire until Mid January of next year. But, you are right. We will find out pretty soon.

That's true, but we are going to get answers on some of the important things that will determine how long prices stay elevated soon. Things like how long is it going to take to fully demine the strait, to get the pre-war volume of ships flowing, and most importantly how much actual damage has been done to wells/refineries/etc in the region and how long it will take to get back to pre-war production volumes.

(06-17-2026 08:04 AM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote:  It isn't a secret that CAs goal is to do away with gas powered vehicles. They don't realize when that happens, they will put themselves out of business. I'm sure their revenue "forecasts" show the amount of fuel consumption and therefore, fuel tax revenue will increase going forward. Socialist economics. Penalize a revenue source and not have the foresight those revenues will decrease due to consumers decrease in using the service.

the only 'logic' I can see behind these moves (besides the EV agenda), is regaining control at the fed level and getting bailed out down the road...

this is another reason why passing the SAVE Act is mission critical and why I began pounding the mail-it-inn gavel long ago...

(06-16-2026 03:56 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

California raised gas taxes between those two dates.

Their gas tax is adjusted every July 1 by law due to inflation.

It increased a whopping 1.6 cents pre gallon last July. It's set to increase another 2.2 cents per gallon next month.

So not really sure what point you're trying to make...it's a penny or two each year.

(06-16-2026 08:32 PM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

What does February 26th have to do today where CA gas is $5.71? The last of those 3 refineries, and the biggest, just closed in late January 2026, another closed in November 2025, so now they are feeling it.

Texas gas prices are up $0.80 a gallon from February 2025. CA is up $1.08. That means they have seen a 35% higher rate of increase.

Sometimes it’s better to just not post than to try and be clever when you obviously aren’t.

My post was only to show that before trumps war, their gas price was essentially the same as it was a year prior. So there was no change in price...yet...as the result of any refinery changes or new tax laws.

(06-17-2026 07:57 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  So Tom, because you are dense and wont get it, Trump lowered gas prices in California by at least 21 cents per gallon between those two dates, and the libturds in charge increased it by 22 cents per gallon. And that doesnt even count the additional lowering Trump did that was offset by the increase due to the logistics and mandate dumbassery of the state.

Those two dates I gave were a year apart, 25 to 26. Their gas tax increased 1.6 cents and their gas increased 1 cent.

And trump doesn't lower gas prices...regardless of what your cult tells you.

So sure...you can believe that trump lowered their gas by a .6 cents if you want.

(06-17-2026 08:36 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Those two dates I gave were a year apart, 25 to 26. Their gas tax increased 1.6 cents and their gas increased 1 cent.

And trump doesn't lower gas prices...regardless of what your cult tells you.

So sure...you can believe that trump lowered their gas by a .6 cents if you want.

you're full of sh*t, tom thumb ...
it's you leftists who desire higher gas prices ...
in order to shift consumption away from internal combustion engine (ice) ...
towards electric vehicles ...
save the planet ...
market taste by decree ...

ESG (ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE)

(06-17-2026 08:36 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 07:57 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  So Tom, because you are dense and wont get it, Trump lowered gas prices in California by at least 21 cents per gallon between those two dates, and the libturds in charge increased it by 22 cents per gallon. And that doesnt even count the additional lowering Trump did that was offset by the increase due to the logistics and mandate dumbassery of the state.

Those two dates I gave were a year apart, 25 to 26. Their gas tax increased 1.6 cents and their gas increased 1 cent.

And trump doesn't lower gas prices...regardless of what your cult tells you.

So sure...you can believe that trump lowered their gas by a .6 cents if you want.

stop being a f*cking obtuse idiot for a second and READ WHAT I WROTE. (And stink as well.)


The dates you gave were a year apart. IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO DATES CALIFORNIA RAISED GAS TAXES BY 22 CENTS.

(06-16-2026 08:32 PM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

What does February 26th have to do today where CA gas is $5.71? The last of those 3 refineries, and the biggest, just closed in late January 2026, another closed in November 2025, so now they are feeling it.

Texas gas prices are up $0.80 a gallon from February 2025. CA is up $1.08. That means they have seen a 35% higher rate of increase.

Sometimes it’s better to just not post than to try and be clever when you obviously aren’t.

Texas average was 2.55 prior to the war, today it's 3.52. That's an overall increase of 38% in price from the start of the war to today. California price was 4.37 before the war, today it's 5.67. That's an overall increase of 30% in price from the start of the war to today. Yes, the overall price increase is higher in California vs Texas, but the % increase compared to the starting point has actually been higher in Texas. If the lack of refineries is the end all be all the % increase should be far higher in California than Texas.

(06-17-2026 08:36 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 07:57 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  So Tom, because you are dense and wont get it, Trump lowered gas prices in California by at least 21 cents per gallon between those two dates, and the libturds in charge increased it by 22 cents per gallon. And that doesnt even count the additional lowering Trump did that was offset by the increase due to the logistics and mandate dumbassery of the state.

Those two dates I gave were a year apart, 25 to 26. Their gas tax increased 1.6 cents and their gas increased 1 cent.

And trump doesn't lower gas prices...regardless of what your cult tells you.

So sure...you can believe that trump lowered their gas by a .6 cents if you want.

Except you can’t calculate anything off one reference point in a vacuum. You have to be able to show that everyone else’s gas prices did not drop between Feb 25 and Feb 26 while CA was flat.

(06-17-2026 08:52 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 08:32 PM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

What does February 26th have to do today where CA gas is $5.71? The last of those 3 refineries, and the biggest, just closed in late January 2026, another closed in November 2025, so now they are feeling it.

Texas gas prices are up $0.80 a gallon from February 2025. CA is up $1.08. That means they have seen a 35% higher rate of increase.

Sometimes it’s better to just not post than to try and be clever when you obviously aren’t.

Texas average was 2.55 prior to the war, today it's 3.52. That's an overall increase of 38% in price from the start of the war to today. California price was 4.37 before the war, today it's 5.67. That's an overall increase of 30% in price from the start of the war to today. Yes, the overall price increase is higher in California vs Texas, but the % increase compared to the starting point has actually been higher in Texas. If the lack of refineries is the end all be all the % increase should be far higher in California than Texas.

Can’t use percentages to defend your position, sorry. Thats letting you benefit from the already baked in higher cost in CA from taxes and regulatory burden. Remember, the underlying commodity price is the same for both states, difference in delta in dollar terms is the measure of poor governance.

The commies want high gas prices like they want Iran to win because it'll look bad for Trump and then they'll have a chance of getting their people (the neo-communist party) into office. Remember, the average voter is not too bright...like Killery said one time.

It's. That. Simple.

(06-17-2026 08:50 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 08:36 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 07:57 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  So Tom, because you are dense and wont get it, Trump lowered gas prices in California by at least 21 cents per gallon between those two dates, and the libturds in charge increased it by 22 cents per gallon. And that doesnt even count the additional lowering Trump did that was offset by the increase due to the logistics and mandate dumbassery of the state.

Those two dates I gave were a year apart, 25 to 26. Their gas tax increased 1.6 cents and their gas increased 1 cent.

And trump doesn't lower gas prices...regardless of what your cult tells you.

So sure...you can believe that trump lowered their gas by a .6 cents if you want.

stop being a f*cking obtuse idiot for a second and READ WHAT I WROTE. (And stink as well.)


The dates you gave were a year apart. IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO DATES CALIFORNIA RAISED GAS TAXES BY 22 CENTS.

Wanna try that math thing again?

(06-17-2026 06:51 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  July 2026 – June 2027: $0.634 per gallon
July 2025 – June 2026: $0.612 per gallon
July 2024 – June 2025: $0.596 per gallon
July 2023 – June 2024: $0.579 per gallon
July 2022 – June 2023: $0.539 per gallon
July 2021 – June 2022: $0.511 per gallon
July 2020 – June 2021: $0.505 per gallon
July 2019 – June 2020: $0.473 per gallon
Nov 2017 – June 2019: $0.417 per gallon

I'll add decimals to the growing list of things you don't understand.

(06-17-2026 09:27 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-17-2026 08:52 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 08:32 PM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Per AAA, gas was $4.62 on average in California on February 26, 2025.

It was $4.63 on average on February 26, 2026.

What does February 26th have to do today where CA gas is $5.71? The last of those 3 refineries, and the biggest, just closed in late January 2026, another closed in November 2025, so now they are feeling it.

Texas gas prices are up $0.80 a gallon from February 2025. CA is up $1.08. That means they have seen a 35% higher rate of increase.

Sometimes it’s better to just not post than to try and be clever when you obviously aren’t.

Texas average was 2.55 prior to the war, today it's 3.52. That's an overall increase of 38% in price from the start of the war to today. California price was 4.37 before the war, today it's 5.67. That's an overall increase of 30% in price from the start of the war to today. Yes, the overall price increase is higher in California vs Texas, but the % increase compared to the starting point has actually been higher in Texas. If the lack of refineries is the end all be all the % increase should be far higher in California than Texas.

Can’t use percentages to defend your position, sorry. Thats letting you benefit from the already baked in higher cost in CA from taxes and regulatory burden. Remember, the underlying commodity price is the same for both states, difference in delta in dollar terms is the measure of poor governance.

I can defend "my position" however I'd like. How about my home state of North Carolina. Average price of 2.76 prior to the war, average price today of 3.63, for a % increase of 31% since the war started. 7% lower than the increase in Texas. It's worse in Mississippi. Average price before the war 2.53, today the average is 3.63, for a % increase of 43% since before the war. Is my home state of North Carolina having far better governance than Texas and Mississippi? Lower total $ increase and significantly lower % increase than both of them. Texas has gone up by .97, Mississippi by 1.10, and North Carolina by only .87. North Carolina also has a pretty high gas tax, .40 per gallon, compared to Texas at .20 per gallon and Mississippi of .18 per gallon. So why aren't those states beating the crap out of my home state, which has one of the highest gas taxes in the country?