Nevada Governor Proposes ‘Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee’ In Response To Oil Refinery Closures in California

California’s state-sanctioned war on the oil industry has led to a mass exodus of oil companies and their respective refineries. Two major refineries in California, Phillips 66 and Valero, are ceasing refining and gasoline production due to legislative and environmental overreach and targeting by California Democrats.

In August, Chevron Oil Company announced their corporate relocation to Houston, Texas from the Bay Area, where the company has been based since 1879. Phillips 66 ceased all petroleum production yesterday, October 16, and by April 2026, Valero’s Benecia refinery complex will shutter permanently.

The closures of California refineries expose neighboring Nevada to potential fuel shortages, price spikes and infrastructure bottlenecks that could significantly impact consumers and businesses across the “battle born” state.

In response to the anticipated closures, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) is working “to protect Nevada’s future” as Nevada primarily relies on imported transportation fuels from California.

In a press release yesterday, the governor announced a resolution to create the Fuel Resistance Subcommittee, “a coordinated initiative to strengthen Nevada’s fuel supply chain and reduce vulnerabilities to regional and national disruptions.”

“The Resolution will be considered by the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security, would formally establish the Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee, which will assess the state’s supply vulnerabilities, improve coordination with private partners, and ensure Nevada can withstand disruptions such as refinery outages or pipeline failures. Recognizing that energy reliability is a critical component of homeland security, the Subcommittee will unite public and private sector leaders to safeguard the state’s economic and emergency preparedness,” the press release notes.

If approved, the Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee will:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of Nevada’s current and projected fuel needs and vulnerabilities.
• Explore options to expand infrastructure, storage, and transportation capacity.
• Recommend policies, investments, and partnerships to enhance resilience and emergency response capabilities.
• Coordinate with federal and regional partners, including the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC), the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation, to accelerate permitting and address multi-jurisdictional barriers to critical infrastructure projects.

The Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security in 2026. The Resolution will be formally introduced and voted on during an upcoming meeting of the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security.

“Energy security is national security and that includes ensuring Nevadans have reliable access to the fuel that keeps our economy and communities running,” said Governor Lombardo. “This Subcommittee will bring together state, industry, and federal partners to develop long-term strategies that strengthen our infrastructure, diversify supply routes, and protect Nevada’s future.”