A recent study indicates that Californians could be paying as much as $8.43 per gallon of gas next year as two refineries in the state have plans to shutter. The analysis, done by University of Southern California professor Michael Mische, said that the likely major decrease in oil production could result in a hike in the Golden State, but also neighboring states that get their supply from it. "Any disruptions to oil and foreign gasoline supplies will exacerbate California’s gasoline dilemma and drive-up prices. Any disruptions to maritime markets, routes, ports, operations, etc., will have a significant effect on California gasoline security and consumer prices, as well as prices in Nevada and Arizona," Mische wrote on Monday. The Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles, as well as the Valero’s Benicia refinery in Northern California, are expected to close their doors. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office dubbed the study as "unsourced" but said that they are working to avoid production issues. "As a reminder, the Governor directed the state to redouble efforts to work with refiners to ensure a safe, affordable and reliable supply of gasoline," Newsom’s press office posted to X. "[Gov.] Newsom will keep fighting to protect Californians from price spikes at the pump," the post continued. Regardless, the research has warranted bipartisan concern.

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