Gas Prices In Arizona Are About To Skyrocket. Blame California

There's a constant among most Arizonans, and that is hating the state directly to the west of us. California is almost the direct opposite of the Grand Canyon state, but their problems always seem to rub off on us.

Now, a major change in the Golden State could have wide ranging effects on us.

Reliant on Our Neighbors

In order for fuel to be useful to us, it has to be refined from crude oil to gasoline through a plant known as an Oil Refinery. Arizona has none of our own, so we unfortunately must rely on California to supply our fuel.

Much of our gasoline comes from a refinery in Benicia, California, which has already been causing problems. A recent fire there raised gas prices in Arizona by around 20 cents according to AAA. Obviously, if a problem as temporary as this one has such a drastic impact, we can imagine what would happen if a much more permanent problem arose. We're about to find out the hard way.

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Closing Refineries

Due to rising costs and California's wide-reaching environmental laws, several refineries will be forced to close in the coming years. The aforementioned refinery in Benicia is planned to close in April of 2026, while another refinery in Los Angeles is scheduled to close in late 2025.

In total, the state is expected to lose 309,000 barrels per day, which would drastically affect gas prices here in Arizona. Governor Katie Hobbs is doing everything in her power to keep these prices from rising, but with such a drastic change on the horizon it may not be enough.

[ABC15][AAA]