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The bill, which passed the California Assembly with a 41-16 vote, saw notable opposition from within Newsom’s own party. Several Democrats either abstained from voting or outright opposed the legislation, signaling division even among his usual allies. Four Democrats voted against it, raising questions about the long-term consequences of this drastic measure.
The legislation mandates that refineries maintain a minimum fuel inventory. Noncompliance comes with severe penalties, including fines of up to $1 million per day. Proponents claim this will prevent shortages and stabilize prices, but critics argue that such fines will inevitably be passed down to the consumer, leading to higher costs at the pump.
“ABX2-1, authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Senator Nancy Skinner, allows the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that create higher gasoline prices for consumers and higher profits for the industry. It also authorizes the California Energy Commission to require refiners to plan for resupply during refiner maintenance outages,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
However, not everyone is on board with Newsom’s aggressive approach. Major refineries have already started pulling out of California in response to the new regulations. Phillips 66, a prominent refinery in Los Angeles, announced that it would cease operations due to the bill’s impact. “With the long-term sustainability of our Los Angeles Refinery uncertain and affected by market dynamics, we are working with leading land development firms to evaluate the future use of our unique and strategically located properties near the Port of Los Angeles,” said Mark Lashier, chairman and CEO of Phillips 66.
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Phillips 66 isn’t alone. Chevron, another oil giant, is also shifting its operations away from California, moving its headquarters to Houston, Texas. The exodus of these major players signals a shift in California’s energy landscape, one that may leave the state even more reliant on expensive imports, driving up costs for consumers.
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Despite this, Newsom continues to pin the blame elsewhere, even managing to drag former President Donald Trump into the conversation. In an attempt to deflect criticism, he suggested that Trump-era policies were partly responsible for the state’s high gas prices, a claim many are dismissing as a political tactic.
The bill’s long-term impact remains to be seen, but many are concerned that it’s yet another example of California’s overly aggressive regulation driving businesses out of the state. As refineries exit and fines pile up, it’s likely that drivers will be the ones paying the price.
Gavin Newsom has been responsible for gas tax hikes being forced down our throats for the last 5 years! Now he wants to start blaming the oil companies? He is a lying scumbag politician that could care less about the U.S. Citizens he is supposed to represent! He cares more his political ambitions than our lives and livelihood!
Now, all of a sudden, he wants us to think he cares…
We The People Know what that his intention is to make a run for the White House in 2028. That will NEVER HAPPEN! This country, and the entire world, has seen what a DISASTER HIS POLICIES HAVE CREATED HERE IN CALIFORNIA! People are literally being forced out of their homes or Forced to Starve! They CAN’T AFFORD GAS TO GET THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL! And public transportation has become a Crap-Shoot of whether you will EVEN SURVIVE THE RIDE TO AND FROM WORK BECAUSE OF THE RAMPANT CRIME HERE! Whether it be from the CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, OR THE HOMELESS POPULATION, the RISK IS REAL! THIS IS ALL GAVIN NEWSOM’S FAULT! He is a LIAR and a CRIMINAL! How does the saying go?… “GAVIN NEWSOM HAS SCREWED THIS STATE HARDER THAN HIS BEST FRIEND’S WIFE! (True!)