Gov. Gavin Newsom warned of further spikes in gas prices for “potentially months” — blaming President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran for high gas prices alongside California’s increasing reliance on foreign oil.
“Gas prices are going up…you’ll be paying more because of Trump’s war,” Newsom claimed in a rambling response at a Monday press conference in Hayward.
“We have specifically…had extensive conversations over the weekend gaming out worst-case scenarios,” Newsom added.
He went on to bemoan “gas scarcity and the potential spiking of prices in the next days, weeks, and potentially months, as Donald Trump said today as this could be months and months of additional attacks.”
Republicans and oil industry reps weren’t buying Newsom’s attempts to pin gas prices on the strikes in Iran — accusing him of exacerbating California’s dependence on imported oil, raising the risks of gas price volatility.
Gas prices were already ratcheting up Monday as crude oil hovered near $80 per barrel.
Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) called Newsom’s statements “dangerous and irresponsible — a failure to meet the moment” in a statement on X.
“His policies have made our state increasingly dependent on foreign oil while dismantling in-state production, jeopardizing pipeline infrastructure, and crippling our refining capacity,” Fong said.
“Now, California is weaker and more exposed to foreign powers than ever before.”
California’s oil production has fallen under Newsom’s governorship with two major refineries, the Phillips 66 refinery and the Valero facility in Benicia, winding down operations. The Phillips 66 site in Bakersfield shuttered in December and the Benicia refinery is expected to close this year.
Critics blame Newsom’s strict environmental regulations like a refinery price-cap law signed in 2023 for accelerating refinery closures and increasing demand for foreign oil. Facing a looming crisis, Newsom signed SB 237 last year to allow up to 2,000 new drilling permits per year in Kern County.
Newsom was blasted Sunday by the US Oil & Gas Association after boasting that California gas prices have stayed under $5 for two years, though they remain the highest in the country.
“California imports 63% of its crude from foreign countries – despite sitting on at least 1.7 billion barrels of proven reserves,” the post wrote in an X post.
“The only state worried about rattling foreign markets is California because you have let yourselves become dependent on foreign supplies. You’ve done this to yourselves,” the post continued.
California has prices averaged $4.65 as of Monday, according to the latest figures from AAA, compared to a national average of $2.99 a gallon.
Newsom added Monday that “because of those refinery issues we’ve got a wonderful group of people meeting on a consistent basis already” to discuss oil supply issues.
