California lawmakers are considering ways to ease the recent spike in gas prices. Last month, gas prices rose as much as 25 cents a gallon, following an explosion at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Southern California. An organization called Consumer Watchdog released a report this week that accuses oil industry officials of price gouging. The report was presented to a senate committee yesterday. Lawmakers are now asking state regulators to monitor gas prices and investigate market manipulation.