In California, which consistently had the country’s highest gas prices before the war, prices are still hovering over $5.60 a gallon. trade group opposes that, saying it would penalize California refiners that have already invested in making the cleaner fuel. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)The California Energy Commission doesn’t agree. California gas prices always run higher than national averages, but increases during the war are in line with national trends, it said. Gavin Newsom signed in 2022 that allows the California Energy Commission to cap refinery profits.