The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County dropped Friday for the 30th consecutive day, decreasing 3.9 cents to $5.936, its lowest amount since May 14.
The average price has decreased 43.7 cents during the streak, including 3.8 cents Thursday, according to figures from the American Automobile Association and the Oil Price Information Service. The streak of decreases follows a run of 19 increases in 20 days totaling 35.5 cents.
San Diegan Jada Macie, who had just filled up her car said she didn't really notice. "A little bit, not too big or anything, not a big change. ... I just feel like it’s still a lot, the price."
Juan Hernandez, from Spring Valley, had just filled up, too. He said driving was a huge part of his construction job. He said it cost $110 to fill up and it used to cost $60. He said he used to have a little left over at the end of the week, but now gas, higher prices at the grocery store and his wages not going up left his pockets empty.
Aimed at easing the pain at the pump, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed inflation relief payments into the state budget. Under the bill anyone who pays taxes and makes less than $250,000 as a single filer or $500,000 for joint filers will get up to $1,050 back.
"If you’re on a fixed income or you’re on Social Security and you do not file taxes, you will not be eligible for the rebate,"
said Brian Dahle, a state senator and the Republican candidate for governor. He also said dropping the $0 .51 per gallon state gas tax would benefit everyone instantly and not just at the pump. "Everything that’s transported that you need to live a loaf of bread, gallon of milk, a two by four all those things are transported on diesel trucks — if you dropped that, it drives down the cost of your goods, too," he said.
Macie and Hernandez didn’t even know that they might qualify for inflation relief rebates. They hope they do, but the help they need may not arrive until October.
"Yeah, probably hurry because I’m in a rush to find a place and get more money right now," Macie said.
"All help is welcome," Hernandez said.
Dahle said he favored larger rebates. "At the end of the day," he said, "it was your money to start with."
The average price is 18.1 cents less than one week ago and 43.7 cents lower than one month ago, but $1.635 more than one year ago.
"Both oil prices and Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices have dropped significantly because of concerns about future demand," said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager. "If current trends continue, local gas prices are likely to drop even more significantly."
The national average price dropped for the 31st consecutive day, following an 18-day streak of increases, decreasing 2.8 cents to $4.577. It has dropped 43.9 cents over the past 31 days, including 2.6 cents Thursday, after rising 41.5 cents during the 18-day streak of increases.
The national average price is 14.4 cents less than one week ago and 43.7 cents lower than one month ago, but $1.422 more than one year ago.
