FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — With high gas prices continuing to frustrate California drivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Monday, the same day it passed the state legislature.
Assembly Bill X2-1 requires oil refineries to keep a minimum fuel inventory and authorizes the California Energy Commission to approve scheduled maintenance times to prevent price spikes.
Many Democratic state leaders said the leading cause of those increases is refineries’ lack of adequate supplies when they shut down for maintenance or during times of high demand.
During Monday’s press conference, the governor slammed the oil and gas industry.
“Big oil does not have your back period, full-stop,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California. “You’re seeing gas prices drop across the rest of the country but spike in California, and they buy all these ads saying somehow it’s California’s fault. They’ve been manipulating you. They’ve been lying to you. They’ve been playing you.”
Opponents said the …