Visalia Times-Delta: "Gas Prices Spike, Solar Shines"
California gas prices exploded at the end of the week as supply issues again plague the state and there were calls of price gouging.
The gas price in Los Osos in SLO County jumped 70 cents overnight from $3.79 to $4.49.
In Visalia, Costco had been selling regular for $2.99 earlier this week but that has risen to $3.07 Friday. Four Seasons Market jumped from $3.09 a gallon to $3.29.
The average price in the state jumped 10 cents according to Gas Buddy today. AAA says the California average Friday is $3.49 compared to $2.57 nationwide.
It seems to have made no difference at the pump that the state gas tax fell six cents as of July 1.
In the oil arena, prices have been falling in the past week. Refiners are getting Kern oil at a bargain — about $50 a barrel.
A federal report Wednesday said California faced a “perfect storm” as refiners produced less gas and imports fell to nothing.
The sudden price hike has several groups crying foul.
Consumer Watchdog announced Thursday, “California drivers, who have paid an average of 74 cents more per gallon at the pump than drivers nationwide, have shelled out $4.5 billion more for their gasoline than U.S. drivers from February to June.”
Tulare County home building jumps 40% midyear
Home building in Tulare County has jumped nearly 40 percent so far this year compared to the first half of 2014, according to Construction Monitor.
Through July 7, builders have permitted 562 new homes compared to 406 units in the first half of 2014.
Lennar is the top builder in the county with 89 permits followed by Woodside Homes based on value. Based on number, San Joaquin Valley Homes has permitted 92 homes so far this year. The local company permitted just 38 during the same period of 2013.
The value of all residential permits is $168 million compared to $127 million for the same period in 2014.
Solar shines
There has also been a notable increase in installation of solar panel permits on homes numbering 1,200 so far this year compared to 770 during the same period in 2014.
On the commercial side, the value of all commercial permits all totaled $75.7million compared $72.7 million in 2014.
