Gas Prices May Rise After Chevron Refinery Fire

A recent fire at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo might cause gas prices in Southern California to go up. The fire damaged a part of the refinery that makes jet fuel, but the rest of the facility seems okay. This refinery is important because it makes a lot of the fuel used in cars and planes in the area. Experts are not sure yet how much the fire will affect gas prices. Usually, fires like this make the price of gas go up quickly. If the refinery is closed for a few weeks, prices could rise a lot. The state already has to import a lot of gas because it doesn't make enough on its own. The fire happened just as other refineries in the state are planning to close. This includes a big refinery in the Los Angeles area and another one in the Bay Area. These closures might make the problem worse. Some people blame California's policies for high gas prices. The state is trying to stop using oil and gas, but it recently allowed some new oil wells to be built. The governor also signed a law to let gas stations sell cheaper gas with more ethanol. This could lower prices a bit. Right now, gas prices in California are much higher than the rest of the country. The average price in California is about $4. 72, while the national average is around $3. 15.