Op-Ed: We can’t afford to shutter California’s aging oil refineries yet
2 years, 4 months ago

Op-Ed: We can’t afford to shutter California’s aging oil refineries yet

LA Times  

After a summer with some historic gasoline price increases, California continues to experience the highest gas prices in the country by a considerable margin. California’s prices are partly the result of geographic accident, with the West Coast distant from oil production and refining facilities in other states. A statewide shift to electric vehicles will eventually alleviate the pressure of $6 gasoline, but California still has to meet short-term needs while maintaining its course away from fossil fuels. In April, when state refineries shut down for seasonal maintenance, gasoline imports to California rose to near-record levels, sending prices soaring. Advocacy groups are pushing to shut down California’s oil refineries, arguing the old facilities are no longer necessary.

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History of this topic

Is California government considering oil refinery takeovers? Yes, it is
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Is California government considering oil refinery takeovers? Yes, it is

LA Times  

More than a dozen countries make gasoline at state-owned refineries. It’s one of several option laid out by the California Energy Commission, which is fulfilling a legislative order to find ways to ensure “a reliable supply of affordable and safe transportation fuels in California.” The options list is disparate: Ship in more gasoline from Asia; regulate refineries on the order …

How one blue state's bitter fight with Chevron could hike gas prices for 27 million drivers
1 month, 3 weeks ago

How one blue state's bitter fight with Chevron could hike gas prices for 27 million drivers

Daily Mail  

Last summer Chevron gave notice to California that it would move its headquarters to Texas, but the fallout has potentially worse implications for the Golden State's 27 million drivers. If Chevron follows through, it could close two of California’s largest oil refineries - potentially driving gas prices even higher as it cuts supply there. Chevron has two of California's largest …

Chevron sees California’s fuel inventory law raising prices for customers
4 months ago

Chevron sees California’s fuel inventory law raising prices for customers

Live Mint  

Nov 26 - Chevron said on Tuesday that California's recently enacted legislation on oil refineries needing to maintain minimum fuel stocks was "flawed," according to a letter sent by the company to state Congress members. On Oct. 14, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into effect ABX2-1, a bill designed to prevent fuel supply shortages in the state and gives regulators …

California regulators are pressed to come clean on gasoline prices
4 months, 4 weeks ago

California regulators are pressed to come clean on gasoline prices

LA Times  

California regulators are poised to vote Friday on a measure intended to accelerate the state’s transition away from fossil fuels by imposing tougher carbon-reduction requirements for gasoline and diesel. She wants “an independent review to ensure transparency and accountability in the regulatory process.” On Friday, the air board will vote on tighter carbon-reduction rules that, according to the board’s own …

India, South Korea, the Middle East: Where California will get its gasoline when Phillips refinery shuts down
5 months, 1 week ago

India, South Korea, the Middle East: Where California will get its gasoline when Phillips refinery shuts down

LA Times  

—The shutdown of the Phillips 66 refinery complex in Wilmington and Carson next year will force California to make up for the loss by importing more gasoline by ocean tanker, which is expected to raise prices to motorists at the pump. Not only will we see average upward pressure on prices, but probably volatility to prices as well,” said Skip …

Another refinery shuts down in California. What happens to gas prices?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Another refinery shuts down in California. What happens to gas prices?

LA Times  

California’s attempt to manage a smooth transition away from gasoline just got roughed up with this week’s decision by Phillips 66 to shutter its refinery in Wilmington next year, wiping out more than 8% of the state’s crude oil processing capacity. A Phillips 66 spokesman said the decision is not related to that bill, but in a press release the …

How will the state manage the slow death of California’s gasoline industry?
6 months, 1 week ago

How will the state manage the slow death of California’s gasoline industry?

LA Times  

It’s becoming increasingly clear in Sacramento: The administration of Gov. Under immediate consideration: a bill that would allow the state to set minimum levels of gasoline storage at California’s refineries. “The State of California would purchase and own refineries in the State to manage the supply and price of gasoline,” reads a report issued in draft version in May by …

What’s behind California's high gas prices? Consumers should know the truth
1 year ago

What’s behind California's high gas prices? Consumers should know the truth

LA Times  

If you live in California you’ve probably run across ads blaming high gasoline prices on state laws and policies. It’s all part of a multimillion-dollar ad campaign by the oil industry to deflect attention from its greed and shift blame for the nation’s highest gas prices onto California’s environmental policies. The oil industry contends that it’s unfairly blamed for high …

Gas prices continue to drop across the U.S., but Californians still have to pay more
1 year, 5 months ago

Gas prices continue to drop across the U.S., but Californians still have to pay more

LA Times  

Gas prices continue to drop across the United States this week, while prices at the pump in California remain about the same. “Drivers are finally seeing some relief at the pump as the seasonal swoon picks up momentum,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a news release. “At least one state has locations selling gas below $3 a gallon, and …

Editorial: Cleaning up California’s oilfields may cost $21.5 billion. Taxpayers shouldn’t get the bill
1 year, 9 months ago

Editorial: Cleaning up California’s oilfields may cost $21.5 billion. Taxpayers shouldn’t get the bill

LA Times  

There’s a huge problem looming as California moves beyond fossil fuels: How to get its declining oil industry to plug and remediate tens of thousands of oil and gas wells that already sit idle or won’t be producing for much longer. While the oil industry and state regulators dispute some of the numbers in the Carbon Tracker report, its conclusions …

California lawmakers OK potential fines for high gas prices
2 years ago

California lawmakers OK potential fines for high gas prices

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers on Monday approved the nation’s first penalty for price gouging at the pump, voting to give regulators the power to punish oil companies for profiting from the type of gas price spikes that plagued the nation’s most populous state last summer. Gavin Newsom used his political muscle to pass the bill, which grew out of …

California bill penalizing oil profits makes little progress
2 years, 1 month ago

California bill penalizing oil profits makes little progress

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After gas prices in California spiked to more than $6.40 per gallon last summer, Gov. But state regulators say they can’t explain recent price spikes like the one last summer that, at its peak, had some California commuters paying as much as $8 per gallon while oil companies recorded super-sized profits. She said Newsom’s proposal will only …

California tries to cap oil company profits. Figuring out how is a challenge
2 years, 1 month ago

California tries to cap oil company profits. Figuring out how is a challenge

LA Times  

Nearly five months after Gavin Newsom initially called for a penalty on excessive oil company profits, the governor and lawmakers in Sacramento appear no closer to deciding how to prevent the kind of gasoline price spikes that Californians experienced last year. Some oil market experts said Newsom’s idea to limit oil refinery profits wouldn’t solve the problem — and one …

What's behind Southern California's soaring natural gas bills?
2 years, 2 months ago

What's behind Southern California's soaring natural gas bills?

LA Times  

Southern California Gas Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric have issued stark warnings to customers that their January natural gas bills could double, citing factors for historically high wholesale costs that include sinking inventories, supply constraints and a cold start to winter that has soaked the West Coast. It’s a much different story in California, Yawger said, where wet …

High gas costs hurt California drivers as refiners rake in huge profits. These charts explain
2 years, 3 months ago

High gas costs hurt California drivers as refiners rake in huge profits. These charts explain

LA Times  

Amid historically high California gas prices that have drained drivers’ wallets, Gov. In October, when AAA data show Los Angeles hit a record $6.49 a gallon and prices were nearly as high elsewhere in Southern California, drivers across the nation were filling up on average for $3.79, a painful price difference of $2.70 per gallon. For the record: A previous …

Editorial: Big Oil shouldn’t be able to fleece Californians while polluting the planet
2 years, 3 months ago

Editorial: Big Oil shouldn’t be able to fleece Californians while polluting the planet

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom’s proposal to penalize excessive oil refinery profits is a relatively straightforward effort to prevent price gouging that reached new heights this year as gas prices in the state spiked to more than $6.40 a gallon. “If you want to achieve your climate goals, you need to have a price-gouging penalty to prevent the oil companies from weaponizing gas …

Prepare for more gas price hikes. Here’s why—and who’s to blame
2 years, 3 months ago

Prepare for more gas price hikes. Here’s why—and who’s to blame

LA Times  

Cars drive past Marathon’s refinery in California. As California energetically attempts to decarbonize the state’s economy, some in Sacramento fear the plan faces a looming threat: astronomical gas prices that could fuel a massive public backlash. The issue was framed by Siva Gunda, the commission’s vice chair, when he kicked off the gas price hearing with an observation and an …

California gas prices hit record highs, with OPEC+ move sparking worsening economic threat
2 years, 5 months ago

California gas prices hit record highs, with OPEC+ move sparking worsening economic threat

LA Times  

The average price for a gallon of gas in Los Angeles County hit $6.494 on Wednesday, increasing by five-tenths of a cent overnight. As gas prices hit record highs in Los Angeles on Wednesday, a pledge by OPEC+ to reduce its oil production by 2 million barrels a day brought concerns about more economic pain to come. But Biden has …

Record gas prices, electricity woes show California’s worsening energy vulnerabilities
2 years, 5 months ago

Record gas prices, electricity woes show California’s worsening energy vulnerabilities

LA Times  

A Chevron gas station in the 900 block of Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles posts prices above $8 per gallon. As more and more oil refineries have gone offline in recent years — there are 14 now compared with almost 50 a few decades ago — California becomes precariously reliant on the few still operating, given the state’s more …

California lawmakers pass bill making refiners reveal profits
2 years, 7 months ago

California lawmakers pass bill making refiners reveal profits

LA Times  

Senate Bill 1322, which passed through the state Legislature, will require California refineries to disclose more information to the California Energy Commission. Senate Bill 1322, Supporters say the legislation will help explain what’s been dubbed as a “mystery surcharge” — an unexplained difference in price paid by California drivers when they fill up, even after all the federal and state …

California gas jumps 13 cents overnight. There’s no telling when prices will drop
3 years ago

California gas jumps 13 cents overnight. There’s no telling when prices will drop

LA Times  

The price for super gasoline reached $7.29 a gallon Monday at this Mid-City Shell station. The state’s average price for a gallon of regular gas hit $5.57 on Wednesday, rising 13 cents overnight and cementing it as the most expensive in the nation, according to the American Automobile Assn. Borenstein said the average price for gasoline could hit $6 or …

California’s high gas prices have a little-known ingredient: Russian oil
3 years ago

California’s high gas prices have a little-known ingredient: Russian oil

LA Times  

One reason gas prices are surging in California is that West Coast refineries are Russia’s best U.S. customers. But nearly half of Russian oil shipped into the U.S. last year, or close to 100,000 barrels a day, ended up primarily in California, Washington and Hawaii, refinery consultant Andrew Lipow said. And the amount of Russian oil imported into the West …

Here are 30 gas stations in Southern California with low prices right now
3 years ago

Here are 30 gas stations in Southern California with low prices right now

LA Times  

Mike Delgado pumps gas into his 2007 Swift 124 motorcycle at the Chevron gas station in Orange. Los Angeles County Rocket Oil, 1701 W. Anaheim St. in Long Beach, 1701 W. Anaheim St. in Long Beach Costco, 2200 E. Willow St. in Signal Hill, 2200 E. Willow St. in Signal Hill 76, 790 W. Holt Ave. in Pomona, 790 W. …

Sick of high gas prices? Then it’s time to talk climate action
3 years ago

Sick of high gas prices? Then it’s time to talk climate action

LA Times  

The Mobil station at the corner of La Cienega and Beverly advertises higher gas prices than the norm throughout the Los Angeles area. But additional federal policies — such as the clean energy provisions of Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation — could speed the transition away from fossil fuels while helping low-income families replace their petroleum-powered cars with electric vehicles. …

California gasoline soars to new record of $4.84 a gallon
3 years ago

California gasoline soars to new record of $4.84 a gallon

Al Jazeera  

California, already paying record prices for motor fuel, is set to shell out even more with the Golden State more exposed to surging oil prices than the rest of the country in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The state’s gasoline also rose to fresh record of $4.94 a gallon while San Francisco prices topped $5, AAA said. Though …

What’s behind California’s painful gas prices? Oil, taxes and geopolitics
3 years, 1 month ago

What’s behind California’s painful gas prices? Oil, taxes and geopolitics

LA Times  

Anyone who’s filled up a car in recent months knows that gas prices are crazy high. Although Europe is a much bigger consumer of Russian oil than the U.S. is, Foreman said, sanctions on Russia’s output would ripple through the global market. California taxes and policies But while crude prices and the gap between supply and demand account for the …

New California oil drilling must be set back from homes and schools, Newsom says
3 years, 5 months ago

New California oil drilling must be set back from homes and schools, Newsom says

LA Times  

An oil pump jack next to homes in Huntington Beach. The Newsom administration on Thursday took the first step toward banning new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools and healthcare facilities, and requiring emissions monitoring of existing wells within those buffer zones, a move urged by environmental and public health advocates who say the toxins, odors …

Hit the road, Jack! California gas prices rise to $4 a gallon
3 years, 11 months ago

Hit the road, Jack! California gas prices rise to $4 a gallon

Al Jazeera  

Gas prices are rallying in America’s most populous state as motorists hit the road amid easing pandemic restrictions – with possible cost spillover effects for the rest of the country. California gasoline prices rose to $4 a gallon for the first time in a year and a half as more motorists hit the road amid easing pandemic restrictions in the …

The toxic legacy of old oil wells: California’s multibillion-dollar problem
5 years, 1 month ago

The toxic legacy of old oil wells: California’s multibillion-dollar problem

LA Times  

Across much of California, fossil fuel companies are leaving thousands of oil and gas wells unplugged and idle, potentially threatening the health of people living nearby and handing taxpayers a multibillion-dollar bill for the environmental cleanup. “There are significant projects that are being proposed,” said Rock Zierman, chief executive of the California Independent Petroleum Assn., adding that the state’s oil …

California’s high gas prices will be investigated for possible price fixing
5 years, 5 months ago

California’s high gas prices will be investigated for possible price fixing

LA Times  

Gas was over $5 dollars for each grade of gasoline at this Chevron gas station in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month. “However, if competitors decide collectively to fix prices, this may be unlawful.” Severin Borenstein, a professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business who has been studying what he calls the “mystery surcharge” on gas sold in California, …

Gas prices soar in Southern California as refinery outages take their toll
5 years, 11 months ago

Gas prices soar in Southern California as refinery outages take their toll

LA Times  

Regular gas prices inched closer to the $4-per-gallon mark in Apple Valley and elsewhere in Southern California. Four of the outages — including a fire at one refinery — are in Southern California, which is why the L.A. area is seeing a higher average price than San Francisco, he said. Besides significant unplanned refinery maintenance, rising ethanol prices and California’s …

Why one consumer advocate blames a mysterious ship for helping keep California gas prices high
9 years, 1 month ago

Why one consumer advocate blames a mysterious ship for helping keep California gas prices high

LA Times  

An Exxon Mobil ship sailed for 70 days off the coast of Singapore but never picked up fuel for California from the company’s two refineries there. The explosion at Exxon Mobil’s huge Torrance refinery a year ago undoubtedly was a major factor contributing to high gasoline prices in California, especially in the Los Angeles area, fuel experts have said. SR …

Why is California gasoline so expensive?
9 years, 8 months ago

Why is California gasoline so expensive?

LA Times  

Gasoline sold in California costs more than in the rest of the U.S. — sometimes dramatically so. The fuel market here is an economic island, and occasionally circumstances combine to make California’s gasoline even pricier than on the actual island of Hawaii. Here are some factors that affect California’s pump prices: Special fuel formulas California’s tough environmental rules mandate that …

Alaska Oil Shutdown Constrains Already Tight Supply
18 years, 7 months ago

Alaska Oil Shutdown Constrains Already Tight Supply

NPR  

Alaska Oil Shutdown Constrains Already Tight Supply The shutdown of a BP oil pipeline in Alaska sends oil prices rising, and may have a direct impact on California. Renee Montagne talks to Frank Wolak, a professor of economics at Stanford University, about the shutdown's likely effects. WOLAK: It would certainly work against any sort of price increase by simply increasing …

Legacy of an Offshore Disaster
26 years, 2 months ago

Legacy of an Offshore Disaster

LA Times  

TIMES STAFF WRITER It was at a strand of California beach in the little resort town of Summerland that the search for oil broke free of the land and plunged into the sea. “The legacy of offshore oil is a cycle of environmental damage.” Bullish Independents As big oil departs the California coast, independent companies are stepping in to take …

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