Newsom Orders Californians to Avoid Chevron Gas Stations Amid Price Spat

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (RTWNews) — California Governor Gavin Newsom is escalating a public feud with Chevron, demanding drivers skip the oil giant's stations during Memorial Day weekend after claiming it inflates gas prices. The Democratic governor's office urged Californians to 'avoid Chevron' and choose unbranded fuel—stating it comes from 'the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines' but meets identical state standards.Newsom's team cited an analysis by the state energy commission showing Chevron charges 60-80 cents more per gallon than generic options, accusing the company of 'ripping off' drivers while reaping billions from geopolitical conflicts. 'Big Oil is already making billions off Trump's Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name,' the governor’s office tweeted Thursday.The clash intensifies as Memorial Day weekend approaches—the busiest travel period of the year—with Chevron displaying signs across California claiming 'California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs.' The signs feature QR codes directing to Chevron's webpage asking consumers to 'speak up for affordable, reliable energy.'Gas prices in California sit at $6.14 per gallon Thursday, $1.58 above the national average, according to AAA. The state’s 70-cent gas tax—the highest in the U.S.—fuels Newsom’s argument that oil companies profit from the price gap. But Chevron spokesman Ross Allen called the signs 'part of a campaign launched three years ago to inform drivers on the price impacts of California policies,' insisting the company 'has been very vocal about customer education' on how state taxes affect pricing.Newsom’s office faces growing pressure as refinery closures disrupt supply. He signed a 2023 law allowing penalties for oil profits but regulators postponed action until 2030 to prioritize consumer protections. Last year, two refineries accounting for 18% of California’s capacity shuttered, reigniting debates about climate policies’ effect on prices. This month, Newsom introduced another measure requiring refineries to maintain fuel reserves—aimed at preventing sudden spikes—but the regulation has stalled amid industry pushback.The dispute has political implications too. Climate activist Tom Steyer criticized former health secretary Xavier Becerra for accepting Chevron donations, targeting the Democratic governor’s allies. Newsom’s team maintains its focus on fighting oil giants, declaring the state 'has finally beat big oil' through policy reforms, even as consumers face unprecedented price volatility.*Live updates: Follow the gas price saga on RTWNews’ real-time chat. Join the conversation in the community feed below as prices fluctuate during Memorial Day travel.*" }