LA refinery closure and gas prices
The permanent shutdown of Phillips 66’s Los Angeles refinery by the end of 2025, alongside other California refinery closures, is projected to cut the state’s refining capacity by nearly 20%. This has raised bipartisan concern about sharp fuel price spikes—potentially to $7–$8 per gallon—and broader energy supply instability, feeding into affordability pressures that dominate local and state politics.
How should Los Angeles and California respond to the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery shutdown and projected gasoline price spikes?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Environment.
38% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
- Liberal43%
- Lean liberal25%
- Moderate15%
- Lean conservative6%
- Conservative11%
Where do you stand?
How should Los Angeles and California respond to the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery shutdown and projected gasoline price spikes?
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Sources
The closure of Valero’s Benicia refinery in April 2026 and the permanent shutdown of Phillips 66’s Los Angeles refinery by the end of 2025 are projected to cut California’s refining capacity by nearly 20%. The expected disruption has triggered bipartisan alarm over fuel price spikes and energy supply instability. Some analysts believe that California gas prices could rise to between $7 and $8 a gallon
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Accelerate green energy and public transit while rejecting any fossil-fuel capacity extensions
- Invest heavily in clean energy and efficiency, with targeted aid for low-income drivers
- Balance limited temporary refining flexibility with long-term clean-energy transition
- Streamline permits for remaining refining and fuel infrastructure to stabilize supply
- Repeal climate rules that constrain refining and prioritize cheap, abundant gasoline