Additional Coverage:
- Gavin Newsom tells Californians to avoid high prices at one major gas station Memorial Day weekend (themirror.com)
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a caution to residents ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, advising them to avoid filling up at gas stations operated by Chevron. This advisory is based on an analysis by a California energy commission group, which found Chevron’s gasoline prices to be significantly higher-by 60 to 80 cents per gallon-compared to unbranded alternatives.
The warning comes amid an ongoing dispute between Governor Newsom and Chevron regarding responsibility for California’s elevated gas prices, a situation the governor links to geopolitical tensions stemming from the Trump administration’s involvement in conflicts between Israel and Iran.
In a message posted on the social media platform X, Newsom’s office emphasized that unbranded gasoline is sourced from the same refineries, pipelines, and storage facilities as branded fuel, and complies with state standards for engine performance and emissions. The statement urged consumers not to pay a premium for branded gas, highlighting that oil companies are already profiting substantially due to the geopolitical unrest.
Memorial Day weekend marks one of the peak travel periods in California, intensifying concerns over fuel costs. Chevron, in response, has placed signs at its California stations attributing high gas prices to the state’s climate policies.
These signs encourage consumers to support “affordable, reliable energy” and include a QR code directing to Chevron’s informational webpage. A company spokesperson indicated that this campaign has been ongoing for three years, aimed at educating customers about the impact of state policies on fuel costs.
Chevron operates hundreds of stations throughout California, most of which are independently owned and set their own prices. The company has also become a focal point in the state’s political landscape, with billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra for accepting campaign contributions from Chevron.
As of Thursday, the average price of gasoline in California stood at $6.14 per gallon, approximately $1.58 higher than the national average, according to the American Automobile Association. California’s gas tax, at about 70 cents per gallon, is the highest in the country. Prices have surged nationally due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz-a critical chokepoint for global crude oil shipments.
Governor Newsom, a vocal advocate for climate leadership, has implemented policies aimed at curbing oil company profits and mitigating fuel costs. In 2023, he signed legislation empowering the state’s energy commission to penalize oil companies for excessive profits, declaring a victory over “big oil.” However, regulators postponed enforcement of these penalties until 2030 to focus on other consumer protections.
This delay followed announcements from two major refineries-responsible for nearly 18% of California’s refining capacity-of their impending closures, which sparked renewed debate over the effect of the state’s environmental policies on fuel prices. In 2024, Newsom approved a law granting the energy commission authority to require refineries to maintain minimum fuel reserves to prevent price spikes during maintenance shutdowns. Implementation of this regulation, however, has also faced delays.
As California continues to navigate the complexities of energy policy, market forces, and geopolitical tensions, residents face ongoing challenges at the pump during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.