What Do Rising Gas Prices Mean for Californians?

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Gas prices are spiking worldwide as the war in Iran and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz cause major disruptions to the transport of about a fifth of the world’s oil. In an attempt to improve access and reduce prices, many countries are tapping into oil reserves, and the U.S. has even lifted some sanctions on Russian exports. But costs remain high, especially in California, where drivers pay the highest prices in the nation. Now, the Trump administration is restarting an oil pipeline that’s been offline since a major Santa Barbara spill in 2015. We look at the impact of the war on California’s oil industry and on you: How have you been affected by rising gas prices? Guests: Severin Borenstein, professor and faculty director of The Energy Institute, UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business Alejandro Lazo, climate reporter, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:44.7	Gas prices are spiking as the war in Iran and the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz
0:48.8	caused major disruptions to the transport of about a fifth of the world's oil.
0:53.1	These disruptions can trigger higher prices in California than anywhere else in the country,
0:58.2	and everyday Californians are feeling those gas prices,
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