VILLARAIGOSA ISSUES DIRE WARNING TO CALIFORNIA MOTORISTS

 Former Assembly Speaker and Mayor of Los Angeles Warns California Motorists Refinery Closures Will Make California Gas Prices Soar 

Los Angeles – Former Assembly Speaker and Mayor of Los Angeles issues warning to California motorists on the likelihood of a massive increase in gas prices in light of the coming closing of two major California refineries. 

“Since I launched my campaign, I have been warning Californians that if we continue to drive refineries out of California, we are going to be faced with soaring gas prices,” said Antonio Villaraigosa, former Assembly Speaker and Mayor of Los Angeles. “California has the cleanest gasoline in the world, and we need an ‘All of the Above’ energy policy. We can keep our climate goals, but we can’t do it with mandates that unfairly burden working families.” 

According to a study, with the pending closures of two major in-state refineries – Phillips 66 in Los Angeles and Valero in Benicia – California gas prices could escalate 75% to $8.43 per gallon in 2026. 

In a 2024 interview on NBC Los Angeles, while discussing the possibilities of increases in gas prices, Villaraigosa said, “They [California Air Resources Board] did that [voted on changes to refining gasoline in California] just a few days after this election when people said affordability was the biggest issue facing them. And in a state where we already have the cleanest fuel. So, I said a long time ago, we can't just be a party of people that drive a Tesla and not a Toyota pickup and ride a bus like my mother did. And so, I want to be a governor that listens to people on these issues, including the cost of gas.” 

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