It turns out the biggest casualty in California’s War on Fossil Fuels may be our national security.

Legal Insurrection readers may recall that last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure ordering energy producers to stockpile gasoline, despite pushback from industry.

Soon after, Phillips 66 announced plans to stop operations at its Los Angeles-area refinery in the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, energy giant Chevron moved its headquarters to Texas, citing high taxes and burdensome regulations.

Now Valero Energy Corporation has announced plans to close its Benicia oil refinery, located just northeast of San Francisco, by the end of April 2026.