California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse

[excalibur]

And Newsom is the correct answer.

Imagine clamoring for Newsom to do for the USA what he has done [accomplished?] in California.

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.

Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.

In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.

...

Experts are predicting dire consequences; the two refineries represent almost 20 percent of in-state gasoline production, or around 6 to 6.2 million gallons of gasoline per day.

Already, California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average, a difference attributable to “supply issues, the CA special blend of gasoline (which is only sold in California) and a layering of taxes and fees on the shoulders of consumers,” according to Mische.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, has blamed fossil fuel companies for the state’s high gas prices, saying the firms have been price gouging for a long time. “They’re screwing you,” Newsom said in October. “They’ve been screwing you for years and years and years. There’s no other way to put it.”

But Mische disputes Newsom’s claims, finding in his recent research that the state’s high gas prices are “self-inflicted.” His study of 50 years of gas prices found no widespread evidence of price gouging, either by gas station owners or refiners or oil producers in the state.

...​

California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse | National Review

Gas is expected to hit $8 per gallon due in part to the closure of two major oil refineries that were regulated out of existence.

www.nationalreview.com

 

[toobfreak]

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.

Works for me. I think they should make it $10.00/gallon so that the other two dollars can be used to help offset fuel prices for the rest of the nation...

 

[marvin martian]

And Newsom is the correct answer.

Imagine clamoring for Newsom to do for the USA what he has done [accomplished?] in California.

​

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.​

​

Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.​

​

In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.​

​

...​

​

Experts are predicting dire consequences; the two refineries represent almost 20 percent of in-state gasoline production, or around 6 to 6.2 million gallons of gasoline per day.​

​

Already, California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average, a difference attributable to “supply issues, the CA special blend of gasoline (which is only sold in California) and a layering of taxes and fees on the shoulders of consumers,” according to Mische.​

​

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, has blamed fossil fuel companies for the state’s high gas prices, saying the firms have been price gouging for a long time. “They’re screwing you,” Newsom said in October. “They’ve been screwing you for years and years and years. There’s no other way to put it.”​

​

But Mische disputes Newsom’s claims, finding in his recent research that the state’s high gas prices are “self-inflicted.” His study of 50 years of gas prices found no widespread evidence of price gouging, either by gas station owners or refiners or oil producers in the state.​

​

...​

California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse | National Review

Gas is expected to hit $8 per gallon due in part to the closure of two major oil refineries that were regulated out of existence.

www.nationalreview.com

Good news!

 

[1srelluc]

Meh, I'll have a Coke.

Looking at gas buddy gas prices in LA they are currently around $3.83.....Looks like they are benefiting from the Trump presidency despite the best efforts of Newsome.

$2.94 in my AO.

 

[excalibur]

Meh, I'll have a Coke.

Looking at gas buddy gas prices in LA they are currently around $3.83.....Looks like they are benefiting from the Trump presidency despite the best efforts of Newsome.

$2.94 in my AO.

I doubt that more than a few stations have gas priced that low in LA. And this is about all of California.

AAA has California average at $4.559.

 

[Votto]

So, the gas companies are only "screwing" people in California?

Why is that Gavin?

 

[1srelluc]

I doubt that more than a few stations have gas priced that low in LA. And this is about all of California.

AAA has California average at $4.559.

Gas buddy gives the cheapest prices for a particular AO.

 

[Robert W]

And Newsom is the correct answer.

Imagine clamoring for Newsom to do for the USA what he has done [accomplished?] in California.

​

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.​

​

Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.​

​

In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.​

​

...​

​

Experts are predicting dire consequences; the two refineries represent almost 20 percent of in-state gasoline production, or around 6 to 6.2 million gallons of gasoline per day.​

​

Already, California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average, a difference attributable to “supply issues, the CA special blend of gasoline (which is only sold in California) and a layering of taxes and fees on the shoulders of consumers,” according to Mische.​

​

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, has blamed fossil fuel companies for the state’s high gas prices, saying the firms have been price gouging for a long time. “They’re screwing you,” Newsom said in October. “They’ve been screwing you for years and years and years. There’s no other way to put it.”​

​

But Mische disputes Newsom’s claims, finding in his recent research that the state’s high gas prices are “self-inflicted.” His study of 50 years of gas prices found no widespread evidence of price gouging, either by gas station owners or refiners or oil producers in the state.​

​

...​

California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse | National Review

Gas is expected to hit $8 per gallon due in part to the closure of two major oil refineries that were regulated out of existence.

www.nationalreview.com

Newsome causes refineries to shut down and yells it is their fault. If they gouged, they would not shut down.

 

[excalibur]

Gas buddy gives the cheapest prices for a particular AO.

From the OP:

California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average​

 

[elektra]

Meh, I'll have a Coke.

Looking at gas buddy gas prices in LA they are currently around $3.83.....Looks like they are benefiting from the Trump presidency despite the best efforts of Newsome.

$2.94 in my AO.

I dont see anything for sale at 3.83

 

[Independent thinker]

And Newsom is the correct answer.

Imagine clamoring for Newsom to do for the USA what he has done [accomplished?] in California.

​

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.​

​

Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.​

​

In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.​

​

...​

​

Experts are predicting dire consequences; the two refineries represent almost 20 percent of in-state gasoline production, or around 6 to 6.2 million gallons of gasoline per day.​

​

Already, California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average, a difference attributable to “supply issues, the CA special blend of gasoline (which is only sold in California) and a layering of taxes and fees on the shoulders of consumers,” according to Mische.​

​

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, has blamed fossil fuel companies for the state’s high gas prices, saying the firms have been price gouging for a long time. “They’re screwing you,” Newsom said in October. “They’ve been screwing you for years and years and years. There’s no other way to put it.”​

​

But Mische disputes Newsom’s claims, finding in his recent research that the state’s high gas prices are “self-inflicted.” His study of 50 years of gas prices found no widespread evidence of price gouging, either by gas station owners or refiners or oil producers in the state.​

​

...​

California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse | National Review

Gas is expected to hit $8 per gallon due in part to the closure of two major oil refineries that were regulated out of existence.

www.nationalreview.com

I wonder how many people in California actually think Newsom is doing a great overall job.

 

[1srelluc]

I dont see anything for sale at 3.83

https://www.gasbuddy.com/gasprices/california/los-angeles/2302

Don't ever doubt me. Doubt Gas Buddy.

 

[initforme]

I would think with increased drilling now we could get gas prices around 1.50. I suppose big oil just gets to ship the extra away, as usual.

 

[elektra]

https://www.gasbuddy.com/gasprices/california/los-angeles/2302

Don't ever doubt me. Doubt Gas Buddy.

Just saying what i see. Chevron or Exxon are both $4.60

Gas buddy might of found a few places that are cheap, but the average is higher.

And, that is the cash price, nobody pays cash

 

[Moonglow]

And Newsom is the correct answer.

Imagine clamoring for Newsom to do for the USA what he has done [accomplished?] in California.

​

California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.​

​

Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.​

​

In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.​

​

...​

​

Experts are predicting dire consequences; the two refineries represent almost 20 percent of in-state gasoline production, or around 6 to 6.2 million gallons of gasoline per day.​

​

Already, California gas prices regularly sit 40 percent higher than the U.S. average, a difference attributable to “supply issues, the CA special blend of gasoline (which is only sold in California) and a layering of taxes and fees on the shoulders of consumers,” according to Mische.​

​

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, has blamed fossil fuel companies for the state’s high gas prices, saying the firms have been price gouging for a long time. “They’re screwing you,” Newsom said in October. “They’ve been screwing you for years and years and years. There’s no other way to put it.”​

​

But Mische disputes Newsom’s claims, finding in his recent research that the state’s high gas prices are “self-inflicted.” His study of 50 years of gas prices found no widespread evidence of price gouging, either by gas station owners or refiners or oil producers in the state.​

​

...​

California Gas Prices Are Out of Control — and They’re About to Get Worse | National Review

Gas is expected to hit $8 per gallon due in part to the closure of two major oil refineries that were regulated out of existence.

www.nationalreview.com

Old story...The state plans on keeping them open even if the state has to run them.

 

[Moonglow]

I would think with increased drilling now we could get gas prices around 1.50. I suppose big oil just gets to ship the extra away, as usual.

Yes, it is called capitalism...The capitalists get the gold mine, and the consumers get the shaft. It is nothing new.

 

[elektra]

Old story...The state plans on keeping them open even if the state has to run them.

California will keep them open until the election. After that they will close them

Enjoy the high prices

 

[elektra]

I would think with increased drilling now we could get gas prices around 1.50. I suppose big oil just gets to ship the extra away, as usual.

There is no increased drilling

 

[DigitalDrifter]

California is already the most expensive state in the lower 48 to live in, and it's a good place to avoid going to whenever you can.

 

[Moonglow]

Newsome causes refineries to shut down and yells it is their fault. If they gouged, they would not shut down.

closure of several oil refineries in California, although these closures are also influenced by long-term market trends and environmental regulations. In response, Newsom has also recently asked a state regulator to take steps to keep refineries operating.
Newsom's role in refinery closures

• Controversial legislation: In October 2024, Newsom signed the bill ABX2-1 into law, which gave California regulators new authority over refineries. The law empowers the state to set minimum fuel inventory levels for refiners and to penalize them for excessive profits, with supporters arguing it will help prevent price gouging.
• Announced closures: Following the passage of ABX2-1:
  • Phillips 66 announced plans to close its Wilmington refinery in Los Angeles by the end of 2025. While a company spokesperson denied the decision was an immediate response to the law, the company cited uncertainty around the refinery's long-term sustainability.
  • Valero also announced plans in April 2025 to cease refining operations at its Benicia facility by April 2026. This decision followed the state's move to cap profits, and prompted Newsom to ask regulators to "redouble" efforts to keep refineries profitable.
• Industry accusations: Oil industry groups and Republican lawmakers have blamed Newsom's policies for the closures and warned of potential fuel shortages and price increases. They have pointed to California's strict regulations and ambitious climate goals as factors contributing to the state's increasingly challenging business environment for oil companies.

Other factors in refinery closures
While Newsom's actions have been a direct catalyst for recent announcements, other long-term factors also play a role:

• Stricter environmental rules: California's increasingly strict environmental regulations and local opposition have made the state a difficult market for refineries for years.
• Decreasing demand: The state's commitment to reducing petroleum consumption, including a 2035 ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles, has signaled a long-term decline in demand for gasoline.
• Market-driven trends: Refineries have been closing in California for decades, with the number dropping from 30 in the 1980s and 90s to a handful today. Many of these older, less efficient refineries have been replaced by more modern facilities elsewhere or converted into renewable diesel plants.
• Industry shift: Phillips 66's decision to convert its Rodeo refinery into a renewable diesel plant in 2024 demonstrates a shift in the market toward cleaner fuels, independent of Newsom's more recent policies.