Nevada GOP Candidate Adriana Guzmán Fralick Demands AG Aaron Ford Sue California Over Refinery Closures

In a press release on Tuesday, Adriana Guzmán Fralick, a Republican candidate for Nevada Attorney General and former Chair of the state’s Cannabis Compliance Board, has publicly demanded that Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford immediately file a lawsuit against the State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom to challenge regulations she contends are dismantling refinery infrastructure and inflating fuel costs for Nevadans.

Guzmán Fralick, a Reno-based attorney with a background in public service—including roles as General Counsel to former Governor Jim Gibbons, Legal Counsel to the Nevada Commission on Ethics, and positions with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission and Gaming Control Board—accused California of “systematically dismantling the refinery infrastructure that Nevada’s families, businesses, and economy depend on.” She noted that Nevada sources the “overwhelming majority” of its gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from California refineries, and argued that Newsom’s “radical energy regulations” are accelerating closures with direct harm to Nevada consumers.

“The time for asking nicely has passed,” Guzmán Fralick wrote, referencing repeated unanswered letters from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo to Newsom. “What is needed now is a lawsuit… California does not have the right to strangle Nevada’s fuel pipeline and leave our families with no recourse.”

The letter urges Ford to sue to halt implementation of California’s fuel supply regulations, asserting legal standing due to documented harm and urgency. Guzmán Fralick concludes with a political warning: “If you choose not to, the voters of Nevada will know that when California came for their wallets, their Attorney General was too distracted to answer the call.”

Her demand arrives amid heightened concerns over California’s refinery exodus. Recent closures and planned shutdowns—such as Phillips 66’s Los Angeles-area refinery in late 2025 and Valero’s Benicia facility slated for April 2026—have reduced California’s refining capacity by roughly 17%, or about 284,000 barrels per day.

Nevada imports approximately 86-88% of its transportation fuels from California, leaving the state vulnerable to supply disruptions and related price spikes. As we reported, experts have warned of potential increases, with some projections citing risks of gas reaching $8 per gallon in California.

Meanwhile, Nevada drivers are bearing the brunt. As of March 17, 2026, AAA reports the statewide average for regular unleaded at $4.608 per gallon—significantly above the national average of $3.790—with recent surges of around 82 cents in some areas over the past month.Prices have climbed from mid-February levels near $3.54, driven largely by California’s refinery closures and the subsequent need for costlier imports or rerouted supplies.

California faces even steeper pain from Governor Newsom’s energy policies and CARB “cap-and-invest” regulations.

Today’s AAA data shows the Golden State’s average at $5.542 per gallon for regular unleaded—nearly $1.75 above the national figure—with metro areas like Los Angeles and the Bay often exceeding $6-$7 in recent weeks.

The Iranian conflict has worsened the situation for both states. Last week, in a letter to Governor Newsom, Governor Lombardo, who has endorsed Guzmán Fralick, urged Newsom to intervene and direct CARB to reconsider the regional ramifications of the board’s regulations.

“While Nevada has limited oil production of its own, it is almost entirely dependent on California’s refining capacity. Any major policy change that could alter refinery economics in California must account for the real-world consequences to neighboring states that depend on that infrastructure. Given additional tension in the Middle East, the situation is particularly pressing”, wrote Governor Lombardo.  

Proactively, Governor Lombardo responded by forming a Fuel Resiliency Committee in early 2026 to explore ways to reduce dependency, address supply vulnerabilities, and mitigate impacts from California’s phase-out of fossil fuels toward net-zero emissions by 2045. Lombardo has publicly criticized proposed California policies pressuring refineries, and industry groups have echoed alarms about potential shortages affecting Nevada and other Western states.

Ford, who is running for governor in 2026 against Lombardo, has previously aligned with California-led coalitions on issues like opposing federal tariffs and federal immigration enforcement.

Ford’s gubernatorial bid has also drawn scrutiny for heavy out-of-state fundraising ties, including significant support from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Newsom has endorsed Ford, participated in joint fundraising efforts, and sent solicitations on his behalf, prompting Republican accusations of enabling California’s progressive influence over Nevada policy. As previously reported in the Globe, Ford’s campaign has relied on out-of-state cash via ActBlue and endorsements from figures like Newsom, amid concerns about “Californication” and broader debates on the ongoing, progressive overreach from Sacramento into the Silver State.

The California Globe has sought comment from Attorney General Ford’s office and will update the article when, and if, received.