Leo Flores, owner of Golda-by-the-Sea, the only gas station in a remote Big Sur community, charges $9.99 per gallon for gas—the maximum allowed by pump software. He explains that high prices aren’t a profit tactic; they stem from operating on generators that consume significant fuel. With rising gas prices due to geopolitical tensions and limited local supply, Flores fears for his business’s future. The small community he manages also relies on generators, making it costly to generate electricity. The current national gas average is $4.09, while California averages $5.86. Flores considers solar options but is deterred by high initial costs. He faces challenges from highway closures, which previously disrupted gas deliveries and severely impacted business. While he’s criticized for his prices, he feels overlooked during challenges like road closures that threaten their survival.
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