Sacramento, California – Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) is warning Californians to prepare for a new wave of fuel price hikes, job losses, and economic disruption following the announcement that Valero Energy Corporation will shut down or restructure operations at its Benicia refinery by April 2026.
Jones placed the blame squarely on Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers, calling their energy policies “radical” and harmful to working families and the state’s economy.
“Valero intends to shut down its Benicia refinery thanks to Newsom and radical Democrats’ extreme regulations and hostile business climate,” said Jones in a statement. “They’re attacking the very energy suppliers we rely on, despite the consequences we’re already seeing: lost jobs, higher costs for businesses, and rising prices on everyday goods.”…