Gas prices in California could soon reach $7 a gallon as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and other factors, according to one state economist. Gokce Soydemir, an economics professor at California State University, Stanislaus, told The Epoch Times Californians should expect to pay a lot more at the pump, while inflation will easily last through the summer. A gallon of gas is “easily going to be to $7 in California,” Soydemir said. “Consumers are going to see the ripple effects resulting from the high price of oil.” The Automobile Club of Southern California also expects high fuel prices to last through the summer. Operators are required to switch to a “summer blend” of gasoline between April 1 and Oct. 31 in most Southern California areas. The blend prevents evaporation when temperatures rise and costs consumers up to 20 cents more per gallon. Meanwhile, the Ukraine situation is already …