In this ICYMI episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Robert Brelsford, Downstream Editor, recaps details of Valero Energy Corp.’s recent decision to shutter its refinery in Benicia, Calif., and the increased discussion it’s spurred regarding what some are calling California’s anti-industry energy policies (OGJ Online, Apr. 18, 2025).
While the planned refinery closure won’t be a first for net zero-focused state, it has triggered more aggressive attacks on California leadership and legislation.
This is a first of future ReEnterprised episodes that will take a closer look at California’s refining sector and the laws and regulations that govern it.
Do you believe California’s energy policies are a bellwether for the country or isolated to California itself?
Take the one-question poll and share your thoughts!
Robert Brelsford joined Oil & Gas Journal in October 2013 as downstream technology editor after 8 years as a crude oil price and news reporter on spot crude transactions at the US Gulf Coast, West Coast, Canadian, and Latin American markets. He holds a BA (2000) in English from Rice University and an MS (2003) in education and social policy from Northwestern University.
