Another rapid spike in gas prices has occurred in California. Patrick DeHaan, a petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, says it’s mainly due to a report from the U-S Energy Information Administration of a temporary cease in imports that had kept supplies stable recently…

click to listen to Patrick DeHaan

DeHaan says traders reacted perhaps over-emotionally to the possibility of a major gas shortage and were willing to pay inflated prices to sellers…

click to listen to Patrick DeHaan

California does not import from other states, because those gas inventories do not meet California’s stringent clean air standards. DeHaan also says one of the few in-state refineries in California, Exxon Mobil in Torrance, is still not completely back on line, since a fire earlier this year. And demand has also been very high this year, since prices have been, at times, the lowest since 2009. DeHaan says the increases will likely continue for another three to four weeks, but shouldn’t be as drastic as they’ve been so far.