Gov. Gavin Newsom warned of additional spikes in fuel costs for “probably months” — blaming President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran for prime fuel costs alongside California’s rising reliance on overseas oil.
“Gasoline costs are going up…you’ll be paying extra due to Trump’s warfare,” Newsom claimed in a rambling response at a Monday press convention in Hayward.
“We’ve particularly…had intensive conversations over the weekend gaming out worst-case eventualities,” Newsom added.
He went on to bemoan “fuel shortage and the potential spiking of costs within the subsequent days, weeks, and probably months, as Donald Trump mentioned right this moment as this might be months and months of further assaults.”
Republicans and oil trade reps weren’t shopping for Newsom’s makes an attempt to pin fuel costs on the strikes in Iran — accusing him of exacerbating California’s dependence on imported oil, elevating the dangers of fuel value volatility.
Gasoline costs have been already ratcheting up Monday as crude oil hovered close to $80 per barrel.
Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) known as Newsom’s statements “harmful and irresponsible — a failure to satisfy the second” in a assertion on X.
“His insurance policies have made our state more and more depending on overseas oil whereas dismantling in-state manufacturing, jeopardizing pipeline infrastructure, and crippling our refining capability,” Fong mentioned.
“Now, California is weaker and extra uncovered to overseas powers than ever earlier than.”
California’s oil manufacturing has fallen below Newsom’s governorship with two main refineries, the Phillips 66 refinery and the Valero facility in Benicia, winding down operations. The Phillips 66 website in Bakersfield shuttered in December and the Benicia refinery is anticipated to shut this yr.
Critics blame Newsom’s strict environmental laws like a refinery price-cap legislation signed in 2023 for accelerating refinery closures and rising demand for overseas oil. Dealing with a looming disaster, Newsom signed SB 237 final yr to permit as much as 2,000 new drilling permits per yr in Kern County.
Newsom was blasted Sunday by the US Oil & Gasoline Affiliation after boasting that California fuel costs have stayed below $5 for 2 years, although they continue to be the very best within the nation.
“California imports 63% of its crude from overseas international locations – regardless of sitting on a minimum of 1.7 billion barrels of confirmed reserves,” the put up wrote in an X put up.
“The one state frightened about rattling overseas markets is California as a result of you could have let yourselves turn into depending on overseas provides. You’ve accomplished this to yourselves,” the put up continued.
California has costs averaged $4.65 as of Monday, in accordance with the newest figures from AAA, in comparison with a nationwide common of $2.99 a gallon.
Newsom added Monday that “due to these refinery points we’ve acquired an exquisite group of individuals assembly on a constant foundation already” to debate oil provide points.
