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Instead of pumping its own resources, California is turning to foreign oil shipped in on massive vessels that spew thick black smoke. As Ellis noted, “And as these ships come in, you’ll notice they billow out black smoke.” So much for Newsom’s promises of a cleaner environment.
Shuttering Refineries, Crushing Families
The situation is only getting worse. Phillips 66 is set to close its refinery this October, and Valero plans to shut down operations in April 2026. These aren’t just corporate decisions on paper — they’re lifelines for families who rely on affordable gas to get to work, school, and keep their small businesses alive.
A University of Southern California study led by Professor Michael A. Mische estimates gas could soar to $8.44 per gallon by 2026 due to these closures. Ellis warned the costs of shipping and importing oil from overseas will inevitably fall on the consumer.
Beyond economics, Ellis sounded the alarm on national security: “We do not have a pipeline to bring our crude and our products from Texas. We are bringing products from other countries into our ports, and it’s a matter of national security.” What happens if war, sanctions, or natural disasters disrupt those shipping lanes? California would be stranded.
Families Already Paying the Price
Even before this looming disaster, California already leads the nation in high gas prices. On Monday, the statewide average hit $4.624 per gallon, compared to a national average of $3.199, according to AAA.
That’s not far off from last year’s $4.703 — but if Ellis is correct, Californians could soon be longing for the “cheap” days of $5 gas.
Newsom’s updated Low Carbon Fuel Standard went into effect on July 1. Supporters claimed it would bring prices down. Instead, common sense prevailed: prices stayed high, and they’re on track to climb even higher.
The Human Cost of Green Extremism
While Newsom and Sacramento elites congratulate themselves for leading the fight against climate change, everyday Californians are forced to pay the price. Ellis warned this isn’t just about numbers — it’s about survival for working families.
High gas means parents skipping meals to afford their commute. It means truckers, farmers, and delivery drivers watching their costs spiral out of control. And it means consumers paying more for everything from groceries to home goods because transportation costs ripple through the economy.
Even worse, California’s supposed “green” policies are actually making pollution worse. Instead of relying on clean, regulated American oil, the state is importing crude from countries with horrific environmental records. Those ships belching black smoke into the skies are the very picture of hypocrisy.
Newsom’s Agenda vs. American Families
Ellis understands what Newsom refuses to admit: energy independence is both an economic and national security necessity. Dependence on foreign dictators for oil is reckless.
For California families already crushed by inflation, the threat of $8 to $10 per gallon gas is not just an inconvenience — it’s catastrophic. And the tragedy is, this crisis is avoidable. California has the resources. What it lacks is leadership willing to put families first instead of environmental extremism.
Newsom wanted to make energy his ticket to the White House. Instead, his radical green agenda may have just lit the match that burned his presidential dreams to ash.
