In California, the international price of oil is more important than the price of domestically produced crude — known as West Texas Intermediate — because the Golden State relies on overseas fuels. In 2023, 61 percent of oil supply sources to the state’s refineries came from foreign imports, according to the energy commission.

Gas prices have always fluctuated with the national and global economy. However, the cost per gallon has significantly increased in the past decade. Now, at some California stations, a gallon of gas sets Americans back $7.