Kevin Kiley: “over the last month, gas prices in California have risen by about 40 cents. This is very different from what is going on…”

“over the last month, gas prices in California have risen by about 40 cents. This is very different from what is going on elsewhere in the country. In fact, right now, gas prices in California average $4.63 where the national average is $2.97. California's gas prices are by far the highest in the country. They are 23 cents higher than the next highest State, Hawaii, which, of course, is an island State. Lest you think this is strictly a matter of red States versus blue States or Democrat versus Republican policies, take a look at what folks not far from here in Maryland are paying for gas. In Maryland, the State average is actually $2.98, $1.65 cents cheaper than in California. Here are examples of a gas station in California and a gas station in Maryland. Now, Maryland is actually a bluer State than California is, and so the reason our citizens in California have to pay so much is because of the uniquely bad policies that we have in California, such as the highest in the Nation gas tax, the so-called cap-and-trade program, and regulations around the fuel mix that make it incredibly difficult to source. All of this has caused two refineries to now leave our State, which is going to spike gas prices even more. Indeed, it has recently been reported that California is now importing gasoline from The Bahamas, in addition to many other places overseas. By the way, this gasoline comes in on tankers that run on petroleum.…”