‘They continue to lie’: Newsom blasts Big Oil as he signs bill aimed at curbing gas price spikes

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure into law Monday that could require refineries to maintain minimum fuel reserves, and he criticized the oil industry for “screwing” Californians.

Newsom, who pressured lawmakers to pass the bill aiming to address gasoline price spikes, called for a special legislative session after lawmakers closed the regular session before the Assembly took action on the bill.

The legislation allows the California Energy Commission the power to require petroleum refineries to maintain enough gasoline to avoid supply shortages, which lawmakers said played a role in last year’s gasoline price spike. ...

Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, said that the legislation “will protect Californians from surging gas prices.” Aguiar-Curry and state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, co-authored the bill and claimed that it has consumer and worker protections included.

For the full report, click here.