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Business & Tech

County Gas Prices Continue to Soar

State taxes and reduced emissions fuel blamed for record rising prices.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline rose in Los Angeles County Friday for the 25th consecutive day, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $4.372, its highest amount since July 25, 2008.

The average price is 12.7 cents more than one week ago, 57.8 cents higher than a month ago and 58.5 cents greater than a year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has risen 37 times in 38 days, including 1.1 cents on Thursday.

The Orange County average price rose three-tenths of a cent today to its highest amount since July 23, 2008, $4.359, 11.6 cents more than one week ago, 57 cents higher than a month ago and 59 cents greater than a year ago.

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The Orange County average price has increased 26 consecutive days and 41 of the past 43, including seven-tenths of a cent on Thursday.

The average prices in Los Angeles and Orange counties are higher than in Honolulu, which traditionally has among the nation's highest prices because of shipping costs.

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Gasoline prices in California are typically among the highest in the nation because of taxes and the state's "boutique blend'' of fuel designed to reduce polluting emissions, said Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

“There's not much defense that drivers have against these soaring
prices, other than aggressively shopping for the lowest price and maximizing
their personal fuel economy,” said Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of
Southern California.

For the cheapest gas and traffic updates in Monrovia, head to our Traffic & Gas link.

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