SACRAMENTO — California Governor Gavin Newsom is escalating a public feud with Chevron over who is responsible for the state's sky-high gasoline prices, with his office explicitly urging drivers to avoid the company's stations during the busy Memorial Day travel period.
In a post on X Thursday, Newsom's office advised Californians to purchase unbranded gasoline instead, arguing it comes from the same refineries and meets the same state standards. “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 post read.
The governor's office cited an analysis by a state energy commission panel that found Chevron's prices averaged 60 to 80 cents more per gallon than unbranded alternatives. The call to action comes as the average price of gas in California hit $6.14 per gallon on Thursday—more than $1.58 above the national average, according to AAA.
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the heaviest travel periods of the year, and the governor's move is a direct political counterpunch to Chevron's recent campaign. The oil giant has posted signs at its California stations blaming the state's climate policies for high prices. The signs read: “California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs,” and include a QR code directing customers to a Chevron webpage urging them to “speak up for affordable, reliable energy.”
Chevron spokesman Ross Allen said the signs are part of a three-year-old campaign to educate drivers about how state taxes and regulations affect pump prices. He noted that the company operates hundreds of stations in California, most of which are independently owned and set their own prices. “We've been very vocal about the importance of customer education in California so that our drivers and our consumers understand where their tax dollars are going,” Allen said.
The gasoline price dispute has also spilled into the governor's race. Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer has criticized Democratic rival Xavier Becerra for accepting campaign contributions from Chevron, highlighting the company's role as a political lightning rod.
Prices at the pump have surged nationwide since the Iran war began, triggering a global energy crisis. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's crude oil normally flows, has been effectively shut, stranding tankers and driving up the cost of crude—the main ingredient in gasoline. Analysts have warned that gas prices could spike further if no deal is reached to reopen the strait.
Newsom, who frequently points to California's leadership on climate policy, has pushed measures aimed at reining in oil company profits and stabilizing gas prices. In 2023, he signed a law allowing the state energy commission to penalize oil companies for excess profits, declaring the state had “finally beat big oil.” But regulators last year voted to delay those penalties until 2030, instead focusing on other consumer protections.
The postponement followed announcements that two refineries representing about 18% of the state's refining capacity would close, reigniting debate over the impact of California's ambitious climate rules. In 2024, Newsom signed another law giving the commission authority to require refineries to maintain minimum fuel reserves to prevent sudden price spikes during maintenance outages, but that regulation has also stalled.
