Overview
- On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom's press office posted on X advising drivers to skip Chevron stations and buy unbranded fuel, citing a state energy commission group analysis on price differences.
- Chevron has been placing signs at hundreds of California pumps that say 'Sacramento policies did this' and include a QR code linking to a company webpage that blames state Democrats and climate regulations for higher costs.
- Drivers in California face an average price near $6.14 per gallon and pay about $0.70 per gallon in state taxes and fees, while the governor’s office cites a review finding Chevron-branded fuel averaged roughly 60 to 80 cents more per gallon than unbranded options.
- Chevron says the signage is part of a three-year consumer education campaign, notes most Chevron stations are independently owned and set local prices, and has warned proposed Cap-and-Invest changes could threaten refineries and raise future pump prices.
- The dispute reflects deeper supply pressures from recent refinery idlings and crude disruptions tied to the Iran conflict, and it could shape consumer choices, political messaging, and state rulemaking on refinery operations and climate policy.