Imperial Valley residents speak out about high gas prices
All-time record could be broken this week - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Residents across the Imperial Valley are dreading filling gas on Monday, March 7.
According to GasBuddy, $6.09 per gallon is the highest price across the Imperial Valley. On Monday morning, the Circle K on La Brucherie and Adams was at $4.05 per gallon but a few hours later it jumped to $5.05.
Residents say the situation seems to be only getting worse. Jeff Bennett is a Valley resident and he says it's a sign of the times.
"They are high but it is the world economy, we need to produce more of our own gas, so I'm not going to blame it on Trump or Biden, I'm going to blame it on this whole world," he said.
According to gas buddy, the average price for one gallon of regular gas in El Centro is $6.05.
Bennett says back in the old days, gas was much cheaper.
“7.5 gallons, is 38 dollars and nine cents, that back then would have been a lot littler and this is a Camry,” he said.
El Centro’s Mayor Tomas Oliva says it hasn’t been this bad in years.
“Certainly Folks in El Centro are feeling the pinch in their pocketbook,” he said.
Mayor Olivia drives a partially electric vehicle and advises residents to do the same. He also doesn't believe the blame falls solely on Biden.
"A president alone does not have the power to raise or lower prices," he said.
Mayor Oliva says the city should install more charging stations to help promote electric vehicles. Russia's invasion of Ukraine could raise gas prices even more.
