by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
Desperate for attention, Gov. Newsom threatening special legislative session on his oil and gas controls
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California Energy Commission regulators announced earlier this month proposed government controls of the petroleum industry, ostensibly in order to combat future energy price surges. This followed Chevron Oil company’s announcement that it will be moving its headquarters to Houston Texas from San Ramon California.
With the California Legislature set to adjourn Friday, Gov. Newsom is threatening to call a special session if lawmakers don’t pass his Venezuela-Like price controls proposal of the oil and gas industry – unless lawmakers pass his latest proposal to control California’s petroleum industry.
Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Riverside) took exception to Newsom’s threat:
“Pretty sure this is what we call extortion. How about no on both demands. Go pound sand,” Essayli tweeted.
According to Newsom, who is sounding more like Hugo Chavez:
“The state has found that, when refiners limit gasoline supplies, prices spike at the pump and create massive profits for Big Oil. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new, first-in-the-nation proposal to further prevent price spikes and save Californians money.
The proposal would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require that petroleum refiners maintain a minimum fuel reserve to avoid supply shortages that create higher prices for consumers. If this proposal had been in effect in 2023, Californians would’ve saved upwards of $650 million in gas costs due to refiners’ price spikes.”
