Why California’s Gas Costs So Much More (and may go even higher)

California has the highest gas prices in the country, and they may rise even further. USC Professor Michael Mische drew attention with a projection that upcoming refinery closures could push prices past $8 per gallon. In this conversation, we explore what’s behind California’s fuel costs from shrinking in-state production and growing reliance on imports to the state’s unique regulatory structure. Professor Mische challenges the narrative around price gouging, outlines trade-offs in the state’s energy transition, and shares what better policy could look like. 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/california-future-society/id1807612672
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zzVSVdCUCTGuZUyl8qZXA
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNumolJuKvqJScBEnhe8hQ

Chapters
 00:00 – Intro
 04:37 – California’s Petroleum Industry
 09:47 – Why Is California’s Gas So Expensive?
 13:49 – The Electric Transition in California
 16:56 – Refinery Closures & Projected Gas Prices
 30:15 – Political Reactions & Public Criticism
 39:47 – Policy Ideas for a Sustainable Transition
 47:26 – A Hopeful Future for California