For decades the San Diego Union Tribune was considered to be the most moderate (& even in some cases the only conservative) large city newspaper in the state of California. Over time that changed especially when ownership of the paper was sold by the Copley family several decades ago.

For years, many citizens believed and in many cases still believe the cost of gasoline to the public (through gas stations around the state) was directly the result of high gasoline taxes on each gallon sold in our state. As of 2024, that cost amounts to 69 cents per gallon.

Yet, what is unknown to most Californians is the following. California has some of the highest, if not the highest restrictions on our state’s (oil and gas) refineries which also increases the cost of gas, as well. It is all supposedly based on what our state’s Democrat leadership believes which includes our state assembly, state senators and finally our state governor. Clearly Democrats control all 3 branches of government in our state and sadly their restrictions are reflected in the way our refineries are controlled by their policies.

As the CEO of Valero gasoline company Lane Riggs has said “California has been pursuing policies to move away from fossil fuels for the past 20 years, and the consequence of that is the regulatory and enforcement environment is the most stringent and difficult of anywhere else in North America”. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, another energy company (Phillips 66) recently announced it will shut down its two Southern California refineries by the end of the year.

Yet somehow, Governor Newsome has accused gasoline companies of “gouging Californians to line their own pockets.” Regardless of this statement by our Governor, the real reason is that our state has over regulated our state’s gasoline industry.

The other thing that most Californians do not realize is that our state has some of the highest underground reserves of oil (on public land) in the nation. This is yet another sign which demonstrates our oil & gas prices could be a lot cheaper if our state’s government would allow more drilling around our state.

Clearly the Democrats have restricted this state’s gasoline industry with the intention of leading the way to seriously have electric cars dominate our roads and freeways in the future. Even some liberals were shocked when Governor Newsome indicated that it would be illegal for new ‘gasoline powered’ vehicles to be sold by new car dealerships in our state starting in 2035. Used old cars (made in 2034 and before) would still be allowed on our roads and freeways. This is how radical this policy (that Newsome initiated) really is.

While our governor might be trying to understand the damage he and his party has done, it’s clear that the cost of gasoline is financially hurting out state’s citizens.

Finally, I want to thank the San Diego Union Tribune for making this issue clear in their (April 27th) business section newspaper article.