The ongoing clash over high gas prices has intensified as a prominent oil organization criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for attributing the blame to the Trump administration.
Newsom’s team recently accused the former president of causing a “$10 BILLION spike” in gas expenses nationwide.
In response, the US Oil & Gas Association countered by humorously pointing a finger at Newsom and California, quipping that “DollarTree PeeWee and his Playhouse friends have entered the Chat.”
The association elaborated, stating that since January 2025, Californians have spent an estimated $24–30 billion more on gasoline compared to the national average. They noted that the state’s average premium ranges from $1.30 to $2.00 per gallon due to taxes, regulations, and supply issues, costing each driver an additional $600 to $900 in just 15 months.
Representing the interests of the oil and gas sector, the association aims to educate “the public, policymakers, and legislators at the federal, state, and local levels about the importance of domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production for bolstering national security and economic growth.”
California holds the record for the highest gas prices in the United States. According to AAA, the average gas price reached $5.91 per gallon on Saturday, marking a $1.20 increase from the previous month. This figure is also approximately $1.80 higher than the national average of $4.10 per gallon.
One California gas station in the tiny coastal hamlet of Gorda‑by‑the‑Sea is even charging nearly $10 a gallon for regular gas.
The increased gas costs largely come from the Iran war’s effect on global oil prices, but California’s climate policies, and higher-than-average taxes also contribute to the high cost.
The oil and gas association also questioned whether outside groups should seize “control of CA refineries and regulations as a viable option to fix the problem California has created for the rest of the economy.”
The California Post reached out to Newsom’s office for comment.
