California gasoline prices declining

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SACRAMENTO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Analysis from a U.S. motor group says retail gasoline prices in California are declining but are still more than the national average for regular unleaded.

Refinery and pipeline issues in California prompted some retail centers to shut pumps in mid-October. California Gov. Jerry Brown called for an early switch to a winter blend of gasoline to add more gasoline to the market.

Motorists in major metropolitan areas in California paid more than $4.70 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. Motor group AAA reports that a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California, on average, cost $4.39 Tuesday, compared to a national average of $3.64. That's down about 3 cents compared to Monday's prices and 20 cents cheaper than last week.

The Los Angeles Times reports that prices are still at historic highs, however.

California lawmakers called on federal regulators to investigate gasoline prices. Most of the refinery issues in the state were expected to be short-lived, however.