Refineries closing
Let’s turn to California – used to be the economic powerhouse of the country, certainly had a reputation as one of the two most car-centric places to be. But…just as the anti-gun folks find the place Nirvana, the state has become one of the worst to own an internal combustion engine.
To paraphrase Mr. Orwell, “Four stroke good, two stroke bad” helped lead the way, and the most restrictive emissions controls in the country followed. (I remember buying an old car – a ’64 as I recall – when stationed at Monterey and it even had a NOX device on it. That model was YEARS before any significant emissions devices in the rest of the country.
Now, don’t get me wrong – historically California also had some of the worst vehicular pollution around. Flying into Los Angeles was like spelunking in a dirty browngrayyellow cavern that STUNK. The pendulum had to swing, and it did, to where now the skies are at least bearable (at least if they could keep from setting their forests on fire, but that’s another topic.) The problem now is that in pursuit of perfection, the idiots running the state seem to have forgotten their constituents, or just don’t care.
Two large California oil refineries are shutting down, triggering mounting concerns from state legislators, industry groups and many others.
The Phillips 66 and Valero’s Benicia sites are set to close in 2026. Together, the shutdowns will eliminate nearly 300,000 barrels-per?day of refining capacity — roughly 20% of the total used in the state.
And why, you say? Guaranteed market, high demand…why?
Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson of the Gardena district bluntly described his concern during a recent Sacramento hearing.
“They have said that they cannot do business in the state of California,” Gipson reiterated. “The regulatory agencies have imposed on the refiners of California very stringent regulation that makes it very difficult for them to remain in the state of California.”
Valero attributed its decision to “years of regulatory pressure (and) significant fines for air quality violations,” including an $82 million penalty levied in 2024. Phillips 66 similarly cited business challenges stemming from California’s strict environmental regulations.
With fewer local refineries, the state will rely heavily on imported fuel — both from other U.S. regions and overseas — which would escalate shipping costs and increase emissions from tanker vessels at the ports as well as possibly the other refineries where the imported oil originates (they themselves may not be meeting sufficiently stringent environmental or quality standards).
What do you do to someone who provides an essential product? Let’s piss ’em off!
Each closure risks the loss of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. The Benicia refinery supports about 400 employees, while Phillips 66 has around 900 workers and contractors. Layoffs will ripple through communities, hurting local economies and tax revenue.
Someone want to suggest they just learn to code instead?
As California’s refineries close, the state stands to gain and lose in different areas. For example, while local air will potentially be cleaner, pollution will increase at ports from tankers bringing in imported fuel.
There may be a boost to clean-energy infrastructure and jobs, along with potential federal or state transition aid. However, the current industry will see large job losses and communities reliant on incomes related to local refinery work may suffer economically.
Yeah, betting enough generating capacity will support all those folks who will need to charge the electric cars they will now have to buy (hope they can afford ’em) – what are the phrases? Betting on the come? Betting on an inside straight? Oh, now I remember – a “fool’s bet.”
Category: Global Warming, Government Incompetence