Newsom Blames Oil Companies for Gas Prices, but His Own Energy Czar Disagrees

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a video blaming oil companies’ “greed” and “price gouging” for the state’s gas prices, which, at an average of $4.60 per gallon, are $1.16 above the national average. Newsom’s own energy commissioner, however, disagrees, noting in May testimony that no “price gouging” has been found and that “increasing supply in the market” would best “protect consumers.” Total taxes and fees add up to approximately $1.62 to the cost of each gallon of gasoline sold in the state, or more than the difference between gas prices in California and the rest of the nation. Of that $1.62, only 18 cents is from federal taxes, meaning the rest is from California taxes and fees.