Web Version [link removed] | Update Preferences [link removed] [link removed] California Energy Price Data

for October 2019

Below are the monthly updates from the most current October 2019 fuel price data (GasBuddy.com) and August 2019 electricity and natural gas price data (US Energy Information Agency). To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at [[link removed]].

California vs. US Fuel Price Gap at 64.1% Premium $1.61 Price Per Gallon Above US Average (CA Average)

The October average price per gallon of regular gasoline in California rose 32 cents from September to $4.13. The California premium above the average for the US other than California ($2.52) rose to $1.61 cents, a 64.1% difference.

Price variability can be particularly high at this time of year as a result of refinery maintenance activities conducted during the biannual changeover in fuel formulation mandated under the state’s regulations. Any additional disruptions such as events during startup or the minor earthquakes affecting the Bay Area refineries in October can produce immediate shortfalls in supply, leading to the price volatility. These effects are magnified if not guaranteed by the state’s regulations that severely limit access to alternative supply sources during such transitory shortages.

1st Ranked by Price

In October, California had the highest gasoline price among the states and DC. Californians paid $1.88 a gallon more than consumers in Louisiana, the state with the lowest price.

California vs. US Diesel Price $1.11 Price Per Gallon

Above US Average

(CA Average)

The October average price per gallon of diesel in California rose 8 cents from September to $4.04. The California premium above the average for the US other than California ($2.93) rose to $1.11 cents, a 37.8% difference.

2nd Ranked by price

In October, California had the 2nd highest diesel price among the states and DC, behind only Hawaii.

Range Between Highest and Lowest Prices by Region $1.71 Price per Gallon above US Average (Central Sierra Region)

The cost premium above the US (other than California) average price for regular gasoline ranged from $1.55 in the Sacramento Region (average October price of $4.07), to $1.71 in Central Sierra Region (average October price of $4.23).

Highest/Lowest Fuel Prices by Legislative District: California Residential Electricity Price 51.8% Above Average for

Rest of US

California average Residential Price for the 12 months ended August 2019 was 19.11 cents/kWh, 51.8% higher than the US average of 12.59 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's residential prices remained the 7th highest in the nation.

California Residential Electric Bill 21.2% Growth Since 2010

For the 12 months ended August 2019, the average annual Residential electricity bill in California was $1,205, or 21.2% higher ($211) than the comparable bill in 2010 (the year the AB 32 implementation began with the Early Action items). In this same period, the average US (less CA) electricity bill for all the other states grew only 2.8% ($38).

Residential bills, however, vary widely by region, with the estimated annual household usage in 2018 as much as 65% higher in the interior regions compared to the milder climate coastal areas.

$5.6b Premium Above

US Average Price

For the 12 months ended August 2019, California's higher electricity prices translated into Residential ratepayers paying $5.6 billion more than the average ratepayers elsewhere in the US using the same amount of energy.

California Commercial Electricity Price 63.6% Above Average for

Rest of US

California average Commercial Price for the 12 months ended August 2019 was 16.56 cents/kWh, 63.6% higher than the US average of 10.12 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's commercial prices remained the 6th highest in the nation.

California Industrial Electricity Price 102.9% Above Average for

Rest of US

California average Industrial Price for the 12 months ended August 2019 was 13.25 cents/kWh, 102.9% higher than the US average of 6.53 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's industrial prices were the 6th highest in the nation.

$10.4b Premium Above

US Average Price

For the 12 months ended August 2019, California's higher electricity prices translated into Commercial & Industrial ratepayers paying $10.4 billion more than ratepayers elsewhere in the US using the same amount of energy.

California Natural Gas Prices

Average prices ($ per thousand cubic feet) for the 12 months ended August 2019 and changes from the previous 12-month period for each end user:

CO2 Emissions From Energy 0.4% Energy CO2 Emissions

Change from 2016

In the latest data from Energy Information Administration, California’s CO2 emissions from energy in 2017 rose 0.4% from 2016, compared to a drop of 0.7% for the rest of the US. California had the 13th highest change in emissions, while Maryland with a drop of 10.1% had the lowest. California’s emissions in 2017 were 0.6% above the level in 1990. The rest of the US was 2.3% above. Including DC, 22 states were below their 1990 levels, ranging from 1.0% below to 41.0% below.

Electricity from Non-CO2 Sources 52.8% Share of Electricity

From Non-CO2 Sources

In the latest data from Energy Information Administration, the amount of electricity generated in California in 2018 from non-CO2 sources (all such sources) dropped to 52.8% from the previous level of 55.9% in 2017, primarily as the result of a sharp drop in generation from conventional hydroelectric sources. For the rest of the US, the share dropped slightly from 35.8% in 2017 to 35.3% in 2018. The data covers only generation from in-state sources and does not reflect the 32% of electricity use California imported from other states in 2018.

California had the 14th highest share of non-CO2 sourcing, while Vermont had the highest at 99.8%.

Electricity from Wind & Solar 2nd Ranked by Electricity

From Wind and Solar

In the latest data from Energy Information Administration, California again ranked second based on the amount of electricity generated in-state from wind and solar. In 2018, California generated 41.0 GWh (up 10.3%) compared to Texas at 78.9 GWh (up 13.9%).

Note: All data sources, methodologies and historical data series available at [[link removed]]

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