Newsom escalates feud with Chevron, urging boycott amid soaring California gas prices

Key Points:

• California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged drivers to boycott Chevron gas stations over Memorial Day weekend, accusing the company of charging higher prices for branding rather than better fuel quality.
• The dispute escalated after Chevron posted signs blaming California politicians for high fuel costs and favoring foreign oil over local jobs, intensifying the ongoing feud between Newsom and the oil industry.
• Newsom's administration has taken aggressive actions against oil companies, including a landmark 2023 lawsuit alleging deception about climate change impacts and legislation penalizing excessive refinery profits and price gouging.
• Chevron recently announced relocating its headquarters from California to Texas, citing the state's regulatory environment and operating costs, ending a 145-year presence in California.
• Consumer advocacy groups highlight Chevron's significant profits amid high gas prices, recommending consumers buy from unbranded stations where fuel is comparable but often cheaper, while Chevron blames state policies and lost refining capacity for price increases.