Oregon is tucked away in the north western corner of the country. Oregon's population is only about 4 million and our laws are not friendly toward refineries, so gas, diesel, etc. cost more. It's a beautiful state. Most in this state agree. $1 less for gas and the consequent pollution, pipelines, commitment to fossil fuels, building refineries it would take to get cheap gasoline vs the lush, green and (almost) clean Willamette Valley, deserts and Columbia River Valley? Most Oregonians choose the latter. This is no utopia and the urban-rural divide is sharper than in most states. For those who manage to make it here, it's pretty good.