Trending Now - California Officials Advise Against Chevron Due to High Gas Prices
WHO:
ABC News - California Governor Gavin Newsom's office, Chevron, American Automobile Association, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, former federal health secretary Xavier Becerra.
WHAT:
ABC News - An analysis by a group within California's energy commission found that Chevron averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternatives.
ABC News - The average price of gas in California was reported to be $6.14 per gallon, which is about $1.58 higher than the national average.
ABC News - The state imposes a tax of about 70 cents per gallon of gas, the highest in the country.
ABC News - Newsom's office posted a message on X stating, "Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines, and it meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean."
ABC News - Chevron's spokesman Ross Allen mentioned that the company has been vocal about educating customers on the price impacts of California policies for three years.
ABC News - Chevron's signs at gas stations feature a QR code directing to a webpage asking people to "speak up for affordable, reliable energy."
ABC News - Newsom's office is advising Californians to avoid purchasing gas from Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend due to high gas prices.
ABC News - Chevron's average gas price is reported to be 60 to 80 cents per gallon higher than unbranded alternatives.
ABC News - The average price of gas in California is $6.14 per gallon, which is $1.58 higher than the national average.
ABC News - California imposes a tax of about 70 cents per gallon of gas, the highest in the country.
WHERE:
ABC News - The events are taking place in California, specifically in Sacramento where Newsom's office is located.
WHEN:
ABC News - Memorial Day weekend is mentioned as a busy travel time, with no specific year provided for the upcoming weekend.
ABC News - Newsom signed a law in 2023 allowing the state's energy commission to penalize oil companies for excess profits.
ABC News - Regulators voted last year to delay plans to penalize businesses until 2030.
ABC News - Newsom signed another law in 2024 giving the commission authority to require refineries to maintain a certain amount of fuel on hand.
WHY:
ABC News - Newsom's office claims that "California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs," as stated on Chevron's signs at gas stations.
ABC News - Newsom's office claims that "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."
ABC News - Newsom's office claims that "Big Oil is already making billions off Trump's Iran War" and urges consumers not to overpay for brand-name gas.
ABC News - Chevron's signs at gas stations blame California's climate policies for high gas prices.
HOW:
ABC News - Chevron's spokesman Ross Allen stated that the company has been vocal about the importance of customer education in California regarding the price impacts of state policies.
NY Post - A major oil group criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for his chauffeured rides while advising commuters on gas purchases.
ABC News - Newsom's office posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) advising consumers about unbranded gas and its equivalence to branded gas in terms of quality.
ABC News - Chevron's spokesman Ross Allen stated that the company has been vocal about educating customers on the price impacts of California policies.
(UPDATED May 23, 2026 06:01 UTC)
An analysis by a group within California's energy commission found that Chevron's gas prices averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternatives, with the average price in the state reported at $6.14 per gallon, which is about $1.58 higher than the national average. California imposes the highest gas tax in the country at around 70 cents per gallon, and Newsom's office has criticized local politicians for prioritizing foreign oil over local jobs and lower costs. Chevron's spokesman, Ross Allen, emphasized the company's commitment to educating customers about how state policies impact gas prices.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 19:27 UTC)
Governor Gavin Newsom's office recently shared a message on X, encouraging consumers to consider unbranded gas, which comes from the same sources as branded options and meets state standards. In response, Chevron's spokesman highlighted the company's ongoing efforts to educate customers about the effects of California policies on gas prices, while their gas stations now feature QR codes urging people to advocate for affordable energy. Meanwhile, a major oil group has criticized Newsom for taking chauffeured rides while advising the public on their fuel purchases.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 08:06 UTC)
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office is advising residents to avoid purchasing gas from Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend due to significantly higher prices, which are reported to be 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternatives. Currently, the average price of gas in California stands at $6.14 per gallon, making it $1.58 higher than the national average, largely due to the state's 70-cent-per-gallon tax, the highest in the country. Newsom's office has urged consumers not to overpay for brand-name gas, emphasizing that unbranded options offer the same quality, while Chevron has attributed the high prices to California's climate policies.