California's Shrinking Fuel Industry May Bring Pricier Gas

Valero signals another California refinery’s future in doubt

By Nathan Risser, Joe Carroll and Barbara Powell | Bloomberg Valero Energy Corp. took a $1.1 billion writedown on its California oil refineries, casting doubt on the company’s future as a fuelmaker in the most-populous US state. The pre-tax charge reflects Valero’s conclusion that “the carrying values of these assets were not recoverable,” according to a statement Thursday. The company’s Los Angeles refinery may face a similar fate as a San Fran…

California’s Refinery Situation Looks Like It Will Get Worse

Valero announced that it plans to close its San Francisco-area oil refinery in Benicia, California next year. It submitted a notice to the California Energy Commission of its intent to idle, restructure, or cease operations at the refinery, whose average throughput capacity is 145,000 barrels per day, by April 2026. The Valero refinery closure will reduce the state’s gasoline production capacity by nearly 9% and affect more than 400 jobs. Refine…

Refinery safety rules in California face rollback after industry settlement

More than a decade after a catastrophic refinery fire sickened thousands, California regulators are weighing a rollback of key safety reforms under a legal settlement with oil lobbyists.Jim Morris and Molly Peterson report for Public Health Watch.In short:A secretive legal settlement between California officials and the Western States Petroleum Association could roll back safety rules enacted after the 2012 Chevron refinery fire in Richmond, whi…

California's Shrinking Fuel Industry May Bring Pricier Gas

Oil refineries are fleeing the state’s strict rules

GOP Lawmaker Sounds the Alarm: Blue State's Fuel Crisis Is About to Get Dramatically Worse

Californians may soon face even higher gas prices as Valero announces plans to shut down its Benicia refinery in 2026. The closure threatens hundreds of jobs and could worsen fuel shortages, which critics blame on the state’s aggressive energy regulations. Key Facts: Valero Energy Corp. plans to close its Benicia refinery near San Francisco by April 2026, putting over 400 jobs at risk. Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) warns the shutdown is part of a …

Gavin Newsom Begs Regulators To Keep Refineries In Biz After California Dems Ran Industry Out Of Town

California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked a state regulator Monday to try to keep oil refineries in business in the state.