Question of the Day - 31 July 2025

That $8-per-gallon figure is being put forward by petroleum companies in California, whose refineries may soon be shut down due to environmental issues. Given the source, one might want to take such rhetoric with a grain of salt.

Still, we put this question to a couple of think tanks and received no reply. Fortunately, Dr. Amanda Belarmino, of the Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, took pity on QoD. Her response follows.

"It seems that recent fear about the increase in gas prices has been premature. Oil prices are down almost $10 a barrel since June 20 [at the time of this writing] and gas prices are at their lowest in four years. All reliable data currently expects oil prices to continue to decline through 2026.

“Gas prices do historically have an impact on outbound tourism from California. However, the recent decline Nevada has seen in inbound tourism is more likely due to the impact of the January wildfires. Our gas prices in Nevada are much higher than the national average, as we're dependent on the West Coast for petroleum supplies and that does impact our cost of living.”

You can also read a recent QoD in which we addressed why southern Nevada gasoline comes primarily from southern California refineries.