California Gov. Gavin Newsom asks state regulator to redouble efforts to keep oil refineries in the state

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking a state regulator to try to keep oil refineries in the state.

Newsom wrote to the California Energy Commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda on Monday to urge that the CEC “redouble’s efforts to work closely with refiners on short- and long-term planning, including through high-level, immediate engagement.

Valero announced on April 16 that it will be taking at least one of its California refineries offline by April 2026 .

Analysts have warned for years that California 's hostile regulatory environment is what is truly driving the fossil fuel industry's retreat.