The price of gasoline has gone up by 7 cents in the last month to a statewide average of $2.65, the Northern California branch of the American Automobile Association announced today.
Reduced production associated with refinery maintenance in preparation for high demand in the summer driving season may be a factor in the rising gas prices, as well as ongoing labor negotiations with the United Steelworkers union, according to AAA.
Roughly 5,200 union members have gone on strike at oil refineries responsible for processing more than 10 percent of petroleum products consumed in the United States, according to AAA.
San Francisco and San Rafael currently have some of the highest gas prices in the Bay Area, with an average cost of $2.75 per gallon.
Some of the lowest gas prices in the region were in Santa Cruz at $2.56 per gallon, and Monterey at $2.59 per gallon.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.62 in Northern California and $2.67 in the Bay Area.
The highest average price ever recorded in the state was $4.67 in October 2012.
For the second month in a row, the lowest gas in Northern California was available in Marysville at $2.47, and the highest price was registered in Eureka at $2.78.
Dave Brooksher, Bay City News
