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FACT BRIEF

Do regulations in California contribute to high gas prices in Nevada?

By Gabby Birenbaum
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YES

Because Nevada has little oil of its own, much of its gas comes via pipeline from California, a state that has routinely had the highest gas prices in the nation.  

California’s high fuel prices come in part because it relies on oil imports. The global price of oil was driven up after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when the U.S. and other nations banned Russian oil imports. 

Prices in California are also higher because California requires a special blend of materials and imposes a cap-and-trade program for carbon emission offsets. Additionally, Nevada’s gas tax is the sixth-highest in the U.S. 

According to AAA, Nevada’s average gas prices are fourth highest in the country.  

In a campaign stop last weekend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) blamed Nevada’s high gas prices on “rules and bureaucracy and regulation” in neighboring California. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Las Vegas Review-Journal Why does Nevada have the second-highest gas prices in the country?
Los Angeles Times California gas prices and the Ukraine crisis
KCRA California officials approve early winter blend use
Internet Archive State Gas Price Averages as of 11/1/23
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The Nevada Independent
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.