by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
Since 1990, California’s imports of petroleum from non-U.S. producers have increased by a staggering 713%
Last week the Globe reported that California gas prices could escalate 75% to $8.43 per gallon in 2026 due to the pending shutdowns of two major in-state refineries, according to USC Professor Michael Mische.
“California can ill afford the loss of one refinery, let alone two,” says Professor Mische in a new report warning of an impending gas crisis this summer.
“In 1982, California satisfied 62% of its petroleum needs from in-state oil producers,” says Professor Mische. “Since 1990, California’s imports of petroleum from non-U.S. producers have increased by a staggering 713%. While California was becoming more dependent on foreign sources, the overall U.S. became less dependent.”
For his warning, Professor Mische was rewarded with a very nasty smear from Governor Gavin Newsom accusing the professor of being bankrolled by Saudi Arabia:
