Almonds. (Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public domain)
California’s High Gas Prices and Refinery Closures Have Real Consequences
While Gavin Newsom is playing International Man of Mystery in Germany at a ‘high-profile European gathering’
By Katy Grimes, February 13, 2026 2:42 pm
Gasoline prices in California have climbed in the past 14 days, approximately 40 cents per gallon. In the Northern part of the state, farmers and ranchers are feeling the increase in gas and diesel.
California’s average price for a gallon of regular gas today, Feb. 13, 2026, is $4.56. Ten days ago it was $4.37.
Petroleum expert Michael Ariza, told the Globe Friday, “I’m afraid Valero will have more of an effect on our region. In the Bay Area we only have two out of five refineries producing gasoline, jet fuel, and propane. Valero is down, Conoco Phillips in Rodeo and Marathon in Martinez are only producing bio diesel!”
Refineries shutting down is a real world problem for many industries, businesses and families in California.
A Northern California farmer near Chico, California told Ariza, “It’s happening big time!! We knew it!! You tried to tell everyone
We bought a lot of red diesel for the tractors for harvest already.”
“Also, gas prices in Chico are climbing.”
Chico is in Butte County, where a gallon of regular gas averages $4.42. A gallon of diesel averages $4.76 in Butte County.
The farmer continued:
“The high price of diesel and gas for our tractors and in our farming almond and apiary operation is going to put a lot of farmers and beekeepers out of business especially during harvest in July thru October for almonds, walnuts and honey production. If there is a shortage we won’t be able to get our crops harvested.
The price has already drastically risen and all the farmers are really worried.
Most farmers in our area Northern California use diesel pumps for irrigation and it will be unaffordable.”
The farmer’s son also weighed in, with even more detail:
“The high price for fuel has already taken affect to many farmers. Many have tried to cut back on using larger equipment when they can, but for some things it’s just not possible. We farm almonds and when the trees fall we cut them with a chain saw, which uses gas, and then have to push the brush out of the rows with the tractor, which uses diesel. We also use the tractor to mow the grass in our orchard ever two to three weeks. This is some of just the day to day activities every farmer encounters. Our farm is a special circumstance where we also have a bee apiary that uses equipment as well. In a bee apiary the hives need to be checked weekly if not more often which takes a vehicle to be able to get to them. If you have driven through the Sacramento Valley recently, you have probably seen the almonds blooming and a bunch of white boxes sitting out in these orchards. The hives do not appear there by themselves. Many beekeepers, us included, move the bees into the Orchards at night using one ton, two ton, and semi-trucks along with our forklifts. These trucks all use diesel and so do the forklifts. With the price of fuel increasing due to refineries shutting down, many bee keepers and farmers will not be able to continue to operate the equipment they need on a day to day basis. I have given you examples from our own life living on an almond farm and having a honey bee apiary, but with a fuel shortage and increased pricing it will affect every part of the farming industry: Cattle, vegetables, tree nuts, honey, rice, stone fruits, berries, and even fish. The prices will increase in the store and at local farmers markets, and many smaller family farms will continue to go under due to the inability to pay for the high fuel prices or even the fuel shortages.”
He said, “With the price of fuel increasing due to refineries shutting down, many bee keepers and farmers will not be able to continue to operate the equipment they need on a day to day basis.”
And Gov. Newsom will blame Donald Trump, rather than his own executive orders, bills signed into law and regulatory policies.
So while Gavin Newsom is playing International Man of Mystery in Germany at a “high-profile European gathering,” taking glamour shots and trash talking President Trump, California farmers and ranchers, truckers, manufacturers, and many more industries are suffering. Many say they will not be able to sustain if gas and diesel prices keep rising.
California today produces less than 23% of its own in-state petroleum needs and imports over 65% of its crude oil from foreign sources, yet the oil and gas industry in California account for nearly 8% of the state’s GDP, even in its diminished capacity.
In 1988, the state of California only imported about 4.5% of all the oil that we consumed in our state. By 2020 we were importing over 70%.
Notably, China is bringing in a lot of our jet fuel and the gasoline their Chinese Costco tankers, Ariza said. Why would Gov. Gavin Newsom allow that? (she asked tongue-in-cheek).
A California native and Navy mom, Katy lives in Sacramento, CA.
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August 8, 2023 -
I think ‘Man of Manure’ would be a better moniker for the globe-trotting gallivanter. What a jerk.
What could this dimwit Gov. Dumbdumb possibly have to say which anyone could learn even one thing? He is completely incompetent to run anything. His state is a disaster.
While our gas prices are going up, they are going down in other parts of the country. California gas prices have risen over the past month, with the statewide average increasing by approximately 34 cents since early January 2026. Meanwhile Michigan’s gas prices went down 27 cents per gallon and Wyoming down 18 cents per gallon.
Yes here is Gov. Gavin Dumbdumb burning up jet fuel to shoot his mouth off again in another country.
Yea, this evil traitor working for the GLOBALISTS had nothing to say at all about the 600 PRIVATE JETS that went to the Super Bowl and now this Hypocrite is so worried about everyone else’s Carbon Footprint-NET ZERO has FLOWN to Germany as well as Brazil for the UNs COP 30 and to the WEF meeting in Davos Switzerland?
And isn’t GAVINs policy also a matter of NATIONAL SECURITY for much of the West Coast affecting our MILITARY who also need that OIL and what about our PORTS? Then there’s the FARMERS as well. Well, he’s a GLOBALIST and he does want us to EAT BUGS to fight Global Warming-Climate Change. And he’s keeps Bragging that CA is the WORLDs Fourth Largest Economy but he CANT be bothered to REBUILD the Malibu-Palisades Fire-stricken areas. Speaking of Climate Change-Glibal Warming, I sure saw a lot of CHEM TRAILS yesterday aka GEOENGINEERING. Maybe, he should address that. I think it’s way past time for the REPUBLICANS to crack down on this CRIMINAL who’s determined to do his part to destroy not only CA but the entire USA. Again, Yoo-hoo, Republicans, where are you? CA is wide open to invasion and whos going to stop it when GAVIN shuts down OIL which the Military uses? And what about our FOOD and all these ILLEGALS he brought in? And GAVIN warmly invited his Communist pal, XIXI PING here and I’m sure GAVIN had NO Complaints about him probably FLYING here.
It is not over by a mile. The insurance industry, for vehicles and homes, will sky rocket because the price of replacing homes, or vehicles will go up due to price of fuel, and labor. This will cause inflation so much so that insurance companies will again leave California. Inflation will kill the lower and middle class. Newscom will blame Trump. In 1980 California had 43 oil refineries. Now California has 7.
On Feb. 14, 2026 in Chico, Northern California, Fair Street Valero Gas Station, gasoline was $5.77 & 9/10 for Premium, $5.69 & 9/10 for Plus, and $4.79 & 9/10 for regular gasoline. Newscum Inflation will be through the roof. Then he will blame oil companies and Trump like he has for the last 4 years. Worst Governor EVER! Gavin Newscum is a national security threat!
It is not over by a mile. The insurance industry, for vehicles and homes, will sky rocket because the price of replacing homes, or vehicles will go up due to price of fuel, and labor. This will cause inflation so much so that insurance companies will again leave California. Inflation will kill the lower and middle class. Newscom will blame Trump. In 1980 California had 43 oil refineries. Now California has 7.
On Feb. 14, 2026 in Chico, Northern California, Fair Street Valero Gas Station, gasoline was $5.77 & 9/10 for Premium, $5.69 & 9/10 for Plus, and $4.79 & 9/10 for regular gasoline. Newscum Inflation will be through the roof. Then he will blame oil companies and Trump like he has for the last 4 years. Worst Governor EVER! Gavin Newscum is a national security threat!
But, Charles, the Democraps say they are all about affordability, just like the Democraps say they are saving Democracy.
Next up, the Democraps telling us they are saving freedom.
100% agree with every statement you laid out!
Chemtrail spraying WAS excessive yesterday as the high altitude grid pattern turned the sky a hazy gray/white yesterday afternoon…
I maintain that Newsom is intentionally destroying everything he can to collect a market development fee from the CCP, who wants the land and farms/ranches….
That’s a good comment on GAVIN DUMB DUMB . LOL
You should use the average price of gas in the other 49 states instead of the national average to compare against the California average. It would give us a more accurate picture of the difference in price. Multiply that difference by ten and you would get a pretty good idea of what it costs us every time we fill our tanks because we vote for Democrats.
Who is this “we” that’s voting in the Democrats? “We” should be committed to an asylum.
Oh yeah, jeepers, WHY oh “WHY would Gavin Newsom allow China to do that?” Katy Grimes
Attorney General Pam Bondi has officially transmitted to Congress the Department of Justice’s Section 3 report under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, confirming that the DOJ has now released ALL Epstein-related materials in its possession. Guess who was named in the files? GAVIN NEWSOM!
(https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/bombshell-pam-bondi-announces-all-epstein-related-materials/)
OH Really! Oops? Ha HA
Here we go… filled the tank at Costco yesterday and it was up sixty cents a gallon over two weeks ago…
Can we fire Newsom for dereliction of duty? WTF is he doing in Europe anyway? Doesn’t the state of California need a Governor that stays in his proper place and does his job, without taking free international vacations, much like LA’s largemouth Bass mayor?
I don’t understand why we keep voting in the same politicians every time? Californians keep complaining and they keep voting for the same. I just don’t understand.
Rejoice you obtained gas as occupants of the village won’t be needing it
Notice every major metro area in Cali has been converted to a bankrupt “village” including San Diego; in essence gulags abound.
Gavin knows exactly what he is doing to further the collectivist agenda. All the rancor regarding his ineptness came from fools: Clearly he knows exactly what he is doing. In the words of one of his Elmers “America will be funds mentally forever”.
excuse tpo
fundamentally