They\u2019re stepping on the gas.<\/p>\n
A Chevron bigwig burned California\u2019s energy policies last week as the state\u2019s nation-leading gas prices soared well above $4 a gallon<\/a> amid a wave of oil refinery shutdowns<\/a>.<\/p>\n Andy Walz, the oil giant\u2019s global refining president, told Fox Business last week<\/a> he\u2019s \u201cquite worried\u201d about the Golden State\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to have a different environment, we have to be welcomed, we have to have incentives to invest, we have to have some regulation go away, we need to be able to permit something in less than two or three years,\u201d he groused.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a very difficult place to do business.\u201d<\/p>\n Chevron executive Andy Walz said he\u2019s \u201cquite worried\u201d about California. Chevron<\/p>\n California has seen gas prices rise as refineries close. Getty Images<\/p>\n The oily gripes dovetail with a campaign targeting Californian motorists at Chevron pumps \u2014 and encouraging them to join demands to roll back the state\u2019s green energy policies. <\/p>\n Gas stations such as a Chevron location in Agoura Hills off Chesebro Road feature signs declaring, \u201cCalifornia has the highest taxes and fees in America,\u201d and urging motorists to take action.<\/p>\n The signs include a QR code that directs to a website for the Chevron Advocacy Network<\/a>, a group billing itself as a voice for Californians who support \u201csmart, balanced policies that protect jobs, promote energy innovation, and ensure a sustainable energy future.\u201d<\/p>\n The site \u2014 which includes a copyright for the Chevron Corporation \u2014 maintains the group\u2019s members are not lobbyists.<\/p>\n The group didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n Many Chevron stations have signs from a group aligned with the oil company calling for Californians to take action. Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n Chevron contends California\u2019s fuel prices are a result of the state\u2019s policies. Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n A Chevron spokesman argued consumers have the right to understand the cause of high energy prices in California, tying them to refinery closures because of strict state policies.<\/p>\n \u201cChevron believes fuel price volatility California consumers experience today is a direct result of more than 20 years of state regulations that have constrained supply by discouraging investment in refining and associated infrastructure, as well as increased taxes,\u201d the spokesman said in a statement.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> California\u2019s average gas price stood at $4.59 a gallon, far more than the national $2.93 rate, according to AAA<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n Energy experts have tied the spike to refinery closures \u2014 such as Phillips 66\u2019s Los Angeles facility<\/a> \u2014 that steadily reduced California\u2019s ability to produce its own gasoline. <\/p>\n The gas crunch has forced the state to increasingly rely on imports from the Bahamas, Bloomberg<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Jamie Paige<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t
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