The conceit of energy planning is driving up California’s gas prices

California has been losing oil refining capacity for years, and two more refineries are currently closing – the Phillips 66 facility in the Los Angeles area and the Valero refinery in the Bay Area. Together these facilities accounted for around 20% of the state’s capacity.

Replacing this lost capacity should be a top priority for state legislators. Without a sustainable replacement, regular gasoline could cost $8.44 a gallon by the end of this year according to an analysis by University of Southern California Professor Michael Mische.