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Economy

Gov. Brown takes emergency action to try to reduce gas prices

2012-10-09

Gov.

Jerry Governor Moonbeam Brown
... those who ignore history are bound to repeat it ...
took "emergency steps" Sunday to try to bring down record gas prices in the state.

He directed the Caliphornia Air Resources Board to increase the fuel supply by allowing the immediate sale and import of cheaper and more available winter-blend gasoline.

The move would reduce the price of gas in Caliphornia by 15 to 20 cents per gallon, probably within a few days, said energy expert Chris Faulkner of Dallas-based Breitling Oil and Gas.

"This would immediately increase the supply of gasoline in Caliphornia," Faulkner said, but he cautioned that it would take a few days for the governor's move to be reflected at the pump.

"Gas goes up quickly and comes down slowly," Faulkner said.

Winter-blend gasoline is a mixture that evaporates more quickly than gas sold in summer months. It's considered more detrimental to air quality during warm weather.

Winter-blend gasoline typically isn't sold until after Oct. 31.

"Gas prices in Caliphornia have risen to their highest levels ever, with unacceptable cost impacts on consumers and small businesses," Brown said in a statement.

"I am directing the Air Resources Board to immediately take whatever steps are necessary to allow an early transition to winter-blend gasoline."

On Sunday, gas prices hit a record average of $4.655 for a gallon of regular in Caliphornia. The national average is at $3.814.

Posted by:Fred

#21 I guess I'm wondering if there is winter mix stowed away, being tapped, and IIUC CA gasoline must originate in CA, if CA refinaries are currently on summer blend, will that make the buggering harder and dryer in a month or two - whenever the usual switch would take place?

Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-10-09 21:44

#20 I suspect engines run slightly hotter in the summer and that causes knocking and pinging but I'm guessing since my info on winter blend was third person and not my expertise.

Posted by: rjschwarz 2012-10-09 21:02

#19 Summer-grade fuel has a different Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) than winter-grade fuel, which contributes to its being (marginally) more eco-friendly. RVP is the vapor pressure of gasoline measured at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Fuels with higher RVP evaporate more easily than those with lower RVP. A particular fuel blend's RVP is based on the combined RVP of the ingredients that make up the blend. Regulators worry about this evaporation because it contributes to ozone formation.

Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2012-10-09 19:32

#18 "We dont use the winter mix during summer because it causes a lot of engine knocking and pinging."

How do the engines know what the season is, rj?

Posted by: Barbara 2012-10-09 19:18

#17 2010

Adding bio fuel to gasoline will raise the cost of gas and food but your tank will be fuller and both your stomach and wallet will be thinner.

Posted by: Airandee 2012-10-09 18:16

#16 1920's

The answer to combustion engine knocking noise led the GM scientists early 1920s to recommend adding a lead compound, tetraethyl lead, to gasoline. It will cost a bit more, but quiet down the engine and make it run more efficiently.

1975-1986

Leaded gasoline was phased out in the US from 1975-1986. Unleaded gasoline will cost a bit more (gotta get the lead out you know), but your car will run cleaner and more efficiently.

Posted by: Besoeker 2012-10-09 16:20

#15 Apparantly it extends the supply by up to 25%. We dont use the winter mix during summer because it causes a lot of engine knocking and pinging. Or so i am told.

Posted by: Rjschwarz 2012-10-09 16:10

#14 So..what does that do to the winter supply?

Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-10-09 15:51

#13 Mitt needs to run a quick ad in Caliphornia showing the tape of Bambi declaring that "energy prices will necessarily skyrocket under my plan" - then show a couple of Cali gas stations' signs.

Make sure at least one of them is a brand name, not cut-rate.

Then, maybe, run the tape of Bambi saying "I'll have more flexibility after the election" if there's time.

Posted by: Barbara 2012-10-09 15:41

#12 Seems to me that they are drowning in their red tape and regulations now. Swim Brown. If you can.

Posted by: DarthVader 2012-10-09 13:49

#11 It's all a phony move.

The regulators tightened the screws on the gas refineries to deliberately jack up prices. Higher prices = higher sales tax revenue. A short term way to generate extra cash to cover the budget deficit.

He could cut gas prices in half by mandating changes to the crazy crap multiple gas blend stuff, having six or seven different blends in one state, and with one or two blends, gas prices would drop like a rock but then so would the sales tax revenue.

Nothing is a coincidence, everything they do is carefully planned. They are very astute economists and this turmoil in our economy is deliberate.

Posted by: Bill Clinton 2012-10-09 10:37

#10 Jerry is concerned with his job, legacy and party. He doesn't want to be the Gov that lost California to the republicans and i believe high gas prices are the one thing that could do that if not dealt with fast. We have tolerated high gas before but this is insane and at a time where consumers can lash out.

Posted by: Rjschwarz 2012-10-09 10:04

#9 This leads to less air pollution, which is a good thing. He should stand firm and add additional taxes to make (poor) people drive even less. Posted by Rambler in Virginia

I recommend mileage taxes be levied... based on "need" of course. Oh wait!

Posted by: Besoeker 2012-10-09 09:08

#8 Why is Jerry worried about high gas prices? When prices are high, people drive less. This leads to less air pollution, which is a good thing. He should stand firm and add additional taxes to make (poor) people drive even less.

Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2012-10-09 09:04

#7 ..a lot of people "can't" leave because they're stuck with property and mortgages that won't sale. Instead of allowing the banks and leading institutions fail and let the price of the paper float to its natural level, the peasants have literally been tied to the land to protect those institutions. If you try to leave the land, you'll be financially punished. Welcome to government implemented 21st Century Serfdom.

Posted by: Procopius2k 2012-10-09 08:53

#6 If I were Mitt I'd play adds with the Obama energy secretary saying they might have to raise gas prices up to $4 to force people into greener ways or whatever he said. Just let his words do the talking, and then say you can judge a politician by those they surround themselves with. Boom. Let people fill in the rest themselves.

Posted by: rjschwarz 2012-10-09 08:48

#5 The gas prices might turn the state light pink if they don't do something. Perhaps it won't change a lot of votes but it will suppress turnout for one team and increase it for the other which is the same effect. Thus Brown and Feinstein reacting quickly and blaming others.

Posted by: rjschwarz 2012-10-09 08:47

#4 Fox is reporting gas prices are reaching $6.oo per gallon. I guess this is one way to keep people from leaving California.

Posted by: Besoeker 2012-10-09 08:35

#3 Jerry, the high prices are a direct consequence of your policies. You do believe in your policies, right? Tell them: the high prices are good for you - you'll pay and like it!

Posted by: Spot 2012-10-09 08:13

#2 Simple and easy, just eliminate YOUR "Tax" and the price reverts to normal.
See how easy that was?

Posted by: Redneck Jim 2012-10-09 06:23

#1 IOW, more Policies-Regulation, NOT less.

Posted by: JosephMendiola 2012-10-09 02:43

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