Armen Kurdian
Californians are paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation — often over $5 a gallon—while much of the country pays under $3. That’s not an accident.
In recent weeks, Valero announced it will close its California refinery in 2026, citing rising costs and regulatory uncertainty. It’s not the first refinery to shut down, and each closure means less supply, higher prices, and more pain at the pump for families and small businesses. This will also result in the loss of hundreds of jobs statewide…