After years of attacking an industry tens of millions of Californians depend on every day, policymakers are now refocusing efforts on ensuring an adequate supply of gasoline.

California’s hostile, high-cost policy environment slashes profitability and discourages investment in fuel production. Consumers and businesses are paying the price.

At a recent oversight hearing, regulators said the state needed to support in-state oil production and refining as California faces growing fuel supply challenges.

Declining in-state crude production likely means higher fuel costs as refineries turn to more expensive marine imports – or shut down completely due to lack of supply.

State policies are the main driver for two major refineries shutting down, eliminating about 18% of our in-state fuel supply.

Contra Costa County alone has 3,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs related to refinery operations.

The agency in charge of California’s energy transition is assuming a fantasy on electricity costs, EV charging, and vehicle miles traveled.

Having a blunder-prone state government manage fuel production is a terrible idea. But at least it might give Sacramento a sense of its costly policy choices.

The same government that can’t build housing, store water, or manage COVID testing may soon operate oil refineries. What could go wrong?