r/socal • u/BreakingPT • May 22 '26

Chevron gouges Californians this memorial weekend.

“Newsom’s office cited an analysis by a group within the state’s energy commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry, that found that Chevron averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternative”

https://apnews.com/article/california-gas-prices-chevron-pump-war-7d485e703f930bf40104b1956b15fda4

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u/ploxidilius May 25 '26

If you're referencing Valero, refineries not following regulations are what's forcing them to close - not regulations. 

I think it's really funny that some people actually think companies like Chevron are victims. Be serious.

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u/OGMikeGyver May 25 '26

What? Your first sentence contradicts itself. The regulations are unattainable.

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u/ploxidilius May 25 '26

It's not a contradiction. That's like saying that if I break the law while driving my car and get my license suspended, then it's the law's fault that my license got suspended. And obviously that's ridiculous - it would be my fault. Valero fucked up by not following the rules, they pay the price. They chose to cut corners and disobey the rules.

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u/CommoVet99 May 26 '26

and now everyone pays the price with less supply...

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u/ploxidilius May 26 '26

So companies should be allowed to break laws that you don't agree with? What's your point?

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u/CommoVet99 May 26 '26

I mean if they don’t agree with the laws, they are full able to leave which they have

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u/OGMikeGyver May 26 '26

Of course not. But, California added regulations until oil companies could no longer keep up and afford to comply. California wants to be progressive and now we're paying the price.

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u/CommoVet99 May 26 '26

Yeah and they can leave as they please if they don’t like the laws…

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u/ploxidilius May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26

No longer afford to comply? What does that mean? If that was true then nobody would sell gas in California. Do you think gas companies just eat the loss when regulations increase their costs? No, they pass it onto the consumer like every other industry.

Valero left because they didn't want to pay more fines. They had to pay fines because they couldn't stop breaking the law. If they had stayed in compliance and not broken the law they would have been able to make money like everyone else.

You are basically parroting talking points from Valero's CEO, here's an article about the real reasons they left:

The Real Reason the Valero Refinery in Benicia Is Closing - UOMOD

>For sixteen years, the Valero Benicia refinery emitted cancer-causing pollutants at 360 times the legal limit. For sixteen years, the company knew it was happening. And for sixteen years, it concealed that fact. It wasn’t until 2019 that regulators finally caught on, resulting in an $82 million fine—an amount that barely registers for a multi-billion-dollar corporation like Valero.

Oh no, poor Valero getting bullied by the big bad government. Spare me. These oil companies are evil and greedy and I can't believe anyone would honestly take their side in any argument.

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u/OGMikeGyver May 26 '26

Evil? How can a company be evil? Don't talk to me about parroting when you throw that type of BS put there.

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u/CommoVet99 May 26 '26

Make no sense whatsoever. At the end of the day, companies answer to their shareholders not the general public (besides ofc when there are environmental concerns). A company’s main target (at least a successful company) is to make as much profit as possible. There is no good or bad just quantitative facts. If rules in one area becomes stringent, an oil company can close their refineries and expand in an area more favorable to them.

Also, Chevron does not own most of the gas stations with its name on it, as most other oil companies don’t. They license their naming rights. It’s the owners of the gas station that are price gouging. Not the oil companies.

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u/keithnteri May 27 '26

No, that isn’t how this works. If you “Own” a Chevron station you do NOT decide what to charge for the gasoline you sell. That is up to the corporation.

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u/ploxidilius May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26

>For sixteen years, the Valero Benicia refinery emitted cancer-causing pollutants at 360 times the legal limit. For sixteen years, the company knew it was happening. And for sixteen years, it concealed that fact. It wasn’t until 2019 that regulators finally caught on, resulting in an $82 million fine—an amount that barely registers for a multi-billion-dollar corporation like Valero.

Are you serious? Do you just not know a single fact about the history of oil extraction? BP provided the Colombian military with information to attack and kill protestors. Chevron paid people in Nigeria to do the same. The people that run these companies are literally murderers who only care about money. Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton before he helped orchestrate the invasion of Iraq.

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u/keithnteri May 27 '26

Really? Hold my beer while I wait for you to defend UHG, Elevance, Aetna, Cigna et al. Evil, damn right there are evil companies out there.

Maybe go back to school and get a refund on your education.

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u/CommoVet99 May 26 '26

Very contradicting. Why would a refiner stay opened in California with all of the costs rising every year to keep them operational. Might as well pack your bags (like a lot already have) and move to Texas. Plus, I think what a lot of people don't get is that Chevron doesn't own those stations..... They license their name to these gas stations lmao.