It's predicted that average gas prices around the U.S. may fall as low as $2 per gallon by Christmas, but northern California drivers likely won't see gas that low.
AAA reports the nation's oil supply is higher this year than last, and prices are going down. The national average for a gallon of gas is $2.63, but in the Sacramento-Stockton area it's $3.30.
David Atwater is General Manager of Van De Pol Petroleum in Stockton. The company supplies fuel to 100 gas stations from Chico to Fresno.
Atwater says the state's stricter guidelines will keep prices higher than the rest of the country.
"They don't have the greenhouse gas regulations and all that kind of stuff so means they're paying a buck less a gallon even in metropolitan areas of this country, a buck a gallon less than we are in California."
Atwater says a refinery shutdown in southern California has made gas there up to 90 cents a gallon higher than in northern California.
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