Newsom moves to lower gas prices as California sees record costs at the pump

Emma Hall, The Sacramento Bee on Sep 28, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is switching early to winter-blend gasoline as Gov. Gavin Newsom directs the suspension of summer fuel as a way to combat high gas prices, his office announced Monday.

Gas prices usually drop when the seasonal winter gasoline blends are reintroduced since they are generally cheaper. State agencies are being asked to take steps now to allow winter-blend gasoline to be manufactured, imported, distributed, and sold in California immediately, according to the news release from the governor’s office.

In the release, Newsom blamed the rising gas prices on President Donald Trump saying, “Trump’s war in Iran has driven up the price of oil around the world, and Californians have been paying the price every time they fill up.”

The average cost of gasoline in the nation was $4.48 per gallon. That is the most expensive September price in history, according to AAA.

Californians currently pay the highest gas prices in the country with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at $6.37 as of Monday. That’s $1.89 higher than other state, according to AAA.

Summer fuel is usually used until Oct. 31 and then is switched to the less expensive winter gasoline on Nov. 1, according to AAA.

Summer-blend gasoline is more expensive because of how it is refined. Gasbuddy.com reports the switchover to the winter blend could mean a 10 to 30 cents per gallon savings difference for consumers.

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