As Thanksgiving approaches, gas prices are largely in line with last year’s figures, remaining at their lowest holiday levels since the onset of the pandemic. The White House attributes the stagnation of the national average to Democratic-led states.
On Wednesday, the average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline was reported at $3.055, a slight decrease from $3.056 a year ago, based on data from AAA.
This Thanksgiving marks the second consecutive year that travelers will experience prices significantly lower than the 2021 average of $3.49 per gallon during Biden’s administration and the $3.80 per gallon seen in 2022. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts a price of $3.44 per gallon by this holiday season in 2023.
Interestingly, gas prices under President Trump showed fewer monthly fluctuations compared to those during Joe Biden’s final year in office, presenting a stark contrast in trends.
AAA suggests the recent decline is a result of “low oil prices and minimal storm impact on Gulf Coast refineries.”
However, even though this year’s prices are lower than in recent years, they remain over 25 cents higher than during the early part of President Trump’s first term. Public concern about affordability seems to be on the rise.
White House Press Secretary Taylor Rogers pointed fingers at states like California, Hawaii, and Washington, claiming they are exacerbating the national average through policies linked to President Biden. “Drivers in California face prices above $4.60 per gallon, significantly higher than the national average—a disparity of $1.60,” she noted, adding that most states have prices below $3.00 per gallon.
California tops the list of the highest gas prices, followed by Hawaii and Washington, according to AAA. The majority of expensive gas markets are found in blue states, while states with the lowest prices typically have Republican governors, like Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
A White House official highlighted that the state’s policies under Governor Gavin Newsom have negatively affected fuel prices, linking it to increased regulations that have led to refinery closures.
California’s gas taxes are notably the highest in the country, adding to the soaring prices at the pump, with regulatory costs potentially inflating prices further by up to $0.54 per gallon, according to the California Energy Commission. Newsom’s office has yet to comment on the situation.
