Californias new gas-price oasis brings promise of some of states cheapest fuel

California drivers crushed by sky-high gas prices are getting a rare break, thanks to a Native American tribe opening a new fuel stop.The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians opened its second Agua Caliente Fuel station on Saturday in Palm Springs, with pump prices already matching the city’s cheapest gas and undercutting California’s eye-popping statewide average.Posted prices Friday showed regular unleaded at $5.13 a gallon, with mid-grade at $5.38, premium at $5.63 and diesel at $6.03.If those prices hold through opening day, they’ll be tied for the lowest in Palm Springs, according to The Desert Sun.The new station sits at the corner of Dinah Shore Drive and Lawrence Crossley Road and follows the runaway success of the tribe’s first Agua Caliente Fuel location, which opened near its Rancho Mirage casino in 2021.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story That station has become famous for bargain prices, often drawing long lines of drivers as California gas costs have surged in recent months following the fallout from the Iran war.Unlike traditional gas stations, revenue from Agua Caliente Fuel goes straight into the tribe’s treasury, funding public services, infrastructure projects, community programs and distributions to tribal members.The tax picture is also different.Because federally recognized tribes are sovereign nations, fuel sold at tribal stations falls under a split tax system.

The federal government collects fuel taxes on every gallon sold, while California receives little from the fuel itself.The tribe is also organized under federal law and isn’t required to publicly disclose financial records, tax returns or profit margins to the state, the public or federal agencies.The timing couldn’t be better for motorists.California ...