CALIFORNIA – Senate minority leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) commented on Governor Gavin Newsom’s response to a USC report that gas prices in California could rise to $8.43 by 2026 due to the closing of two refineries.
“Rather than engaging with the data or addressing Californians’ growing concerns about affordability, Governor Newsom is targeting an academic professor simply because he doesn’t like the conclusions,” said Jones.
Last week, USC professor Michael Mische’s report gained widespread media coverage.
It highlighted the potential impact of the upcoming closures of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles and the Valero refinery in Benicia on California gas prices.
Newsom’s office responded on X (formerly Twitter) that Mische’s report was bankrolled by Saudi Arabia utilizing the scientific method of “guessing.”
Apparently, all it takes to make headlines these days is publishing an unsourced “study” by someone bankrolled by Saudi Arabia utilizing the scientific method of “guessing’ …
Would encourage reporters to check sources before lending your outlet’s credibility.
His prior “work”… https://t.co/GNmNnNxUd1
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) May 8, 2025
Jones said the accusation is categorically false and legally risky.
“Professor Mische’s limited past work with Saudi Arabia ended in 2022 and focused on diversifying that country’s economy away from fossil fuels. He has never worked to promote Saudi oil interests—nor has he ever worked for any Saudi oil company or refinery,” said Jones in a statement.
He goes on to say that Mische’s recent analysis calls for an increase in in-state oil production and refining, which would reduce reliance on foreign oil, including from Saudi Arabia.
Instead of silencing experts, Newsom should listen to warnings
Jones said Newsom could have tasked the California Air Resources Board or the California Energy Commission with conducting a competing analysis.
“Instead of silencing experts and spinning the facts, Governor Newsom should be listening to the warnings,” said Jones.
In a formal letter Jones sent to Newsom last week, he called on the administration to work with him and California’s refineries immediately to prevent closures.
RELATED: New report says gas prices could reach $8.43 next year
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