Part 2/11:
At the heart of this controversy lies a long-standing tension between the energy industry and California regulators. Valero has expressed frustration over what it perceives as excessive and unnecessary fines, coupled with decades of overregulation that make operating in California increasingly unviable. The refinery's shutdown would not only disrupt local employment and economic activity but also exacerbate California's already high gasoline prices—a point of contention and concern for residents and policymakers.