Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided to declare war on Chevron and small businesses as he tells drivers to avoid filing up at California gas stations this Memorial Day weekend.
The California governor’s press office told travelers who are hitting the highway this holiday to “be sure to AVOID Chevron” amid the state’s sky-rocketing gas prices.
Newsom’s Thursday post claimed the company’s “branded” blend costs drivers more at the pump compared to “unbranded” gas.
He also posted a map featuring two gas stations in the state, one in Sacramento County the other in Solano County, which Chevron said is run by small business owners.
“Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines,” Newsom’s post read.
“It meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean, even if it doesn’t have a fancy name like ‘Techron,’” the post continued.
It added, “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.”
The Post reached out to Newsom’s office for further comment.
Ross Allen, a spokesperson for Chevron, said the company was aware of the post.
“Chevron is aware of the tweet and believes it is an unfortunate attack on two small businesses in the state,” Allen told The Post.
“Most Chevron stations are independently owned and operated, and in many cases, including this, are run by small business owners.”
Branded gasoline in the state from the such giants as Chevron, 76, and Valero, costs roughly $0.30 more per gallon than unbranded fuel, according to a 2024 report.
Newsom’s attack on the gas giant comes after video of signs at Chevron pumps surfaced telling drivers that the reason gas prices in the state are the highest in the nation – is because of Democrats.
“Sacramento policies did this. Now you pay more,” the signs read at pumps across California, paid for by the oil giant, showing a blue SUV entangled in a gas hose for effect.
”California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs.”
Allen previously told The Post the reason for the sign campaign at their pumps is to “educate consumers about how politicians are picking their pockets.”
“These environmental fees, taxes, and regulations might be small individually, but cumulatively they are making the cost of living in California much more expensive. These are policy choices, it doesn’t have to be like this.”
The average price of gas in America Thursday is $4.564, according to the AAA.
This Memorial Day weekend, drivers in LA and across the state continue to contend with insane gas prices.
As of Thursday, the average price in the Golden State is $6.143 a gallon, according to AAA.
When travelers start hitting the road for the holiday in record numbers, the price of a gallon of gas is up nationwide by $1.38 more than it was this time last year, per AAA.
In recent years, several major oil refineries in California have closed or begun the process of closing, only increasing gas prices in California.
Lawmakers and experts have warned Newsom’s green agenda now risks sending the price of a gallon above $8 per gallon.
Drivers in the Golden State pay a “California premium” that includes higher-than-average state excise and sales taxes, as well as hefty fees for climate programs unique to the state.
