The closure could cut hundreds of jobs and is expected to bruise the tax base of Benicia, a community anchored by the refinery that has also endured toxic pollution. But the company may replace its gas output with imports by ship, buffering California's fuel supply from potential shortages and price hikes, according to Newsom's office. It's unclear how much gasoline Valero plans to import, and the company has so far offered few answers.
As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, average per-gallon prices for unleaded gasoline were $4.61 in San Jose, $4.67 in Oakland, $4.76 in San Francisco, $4.75 in Los Angeles, and $4.66 in California. On Oct. 2, per-gallon prices for unleaded gas were $4.55 in San Jose, $4.65 in Oakland, $4.69 in San Francisco, $4.71 in Los Angeles, and $4.64 in California.