Gas Price Rising Faster In California

California gasoline prices jumped above $3 a gallon for the first time this year, according to energy statistics released today.

The statewide average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gas hit $3.068, up 17.1 cents from the previous week and more than 53 cents above year-ago levels, according to the Energy Department's weekly gasoline station price survey.

The statewide price is not a record high but is well above normal levels for this time of year. California motorists were pumping some of the nation's most expensive gasoline, with the average pump price averaging $3.058 in Los Angeles and $3.184 in San Francisco.