CALIFORNIA'S REFINERY CRISIS: FIRE AT EL SEGUNDO EXPOSES STATE'S FRAGILE FUEL SUPPLY

California's Fuel Supply Crisis: El Segundo Fire Exposes Critical Vulnerabilities in West Coast Energy Infrastructure

Refinery Disaster Threatens Aviation Fuel Networks and Military Readiness as State's Energy Transition Collides with Reality

SAN DIEGO — A massive explosion and fire at Chevron's El Segundo refinery on October 2, 2025, has laid bare California's increasingly precarious fuel supply situation, threatening not only the state's motorists but also its aviation infrastructure and the U.S. military's Pacific operations at a critical moment in the nation's strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific region.

The conflagration, which sent a towering fireball into the night sky visible for miles across the South Bay, occurred at California's second-largest refinery—a facility that produces approximately 20% of the state's gasoline and 40% of Southern California's jet fuel. While no injuries were reported and the fire was contained by early morning, the incident has exposed dangerous fragilities in the state's fuel distribution network at precisely the moment when two other major refineries are preparing to shut down permanently.

A Perfect Storm of Closures

The El Segundo fire arrives amid what industry analysts are calling a perfect storm for California's fuel markets. Phillips 66 received its final crude oil shipment in late September and ceased all petroleum production at its Los Angeles-area refinery on October 16, 2025, removing 139,000 barrels per day—roughly 8.6% of the state's refining capacity. Valero Energy has announced its intent to idle or cease operations at its 145,000-barrel-per-day Benicia refinery by the end of April 2026, which would eliminate another 9% of capacity.

Combined with the El Segundo disruption, California faces the potential loss of more than one-third of its refining capacity within months. The state's nine remaining operational refineries already struggle to meet demand, forcing California to import approximately 120,000 barrels per day of gasoline and blending components, primarily from Asia and the Middle East.

"California thinks it's going to be able to put the end date on gasoline and fossil fuels, but that's just impossible," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. The state consumes nearly 900,000 barrels of gasoline daily, down from a 2017 peak but still far exceeding what remaining in-state production can provide.

The Pipeline Problem: California's Isolation

Unlike most American states, California exists as an effective energy island. No pipelines connect the state to refineries in other regions, meaning virtually all fuel must either be produced in-state or imported by ocean tanker—a logistics challenge that adds both cost and vulnerability to supply chains.

The Calnev Pipeline, operated by Kinder Morgan, represents one of California's few interstate fuel arteries. The 550-mile system transports gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from Los Angeles refineries and marine terminals through 14-inch and 8-inch diameter pipelines to terminals in Barstow, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Critically, it also supplies Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert and Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, carrying approximately 128,000 barrels per day.

Within California, the SFPP system's North Line—spanning approximately 864 miles—delivers products from Richmond and Concord refineries to Brisbane, Sacramento, Chico, Fresno, Stockton, San Jose, and Reno, Nevada. But these pipelines can only distribute what refineries produce. They cannot import fuel from other states.

The vulnerability of this system became painfully evident in late December 2022, when a leak in the Kinder Morgan pipeline serving San Diego International Airport forced dozens of flights to make unplanned refueling stops in Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Las Vegas. The incident, caused by a pipeline rupture east of Los Angeles, demonstrated how a single point of failure can cascade through the region's aviation network.

Aviation Sector Faces Acute Pressure

The El Segundo refinery's role in jet fuel production cannot be overstated. Producing approximately 100,000 barrels per day of jet and diesel fuel—representing 40% of Southern California's jet fuel supply—the facility is critical to operations at Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, San Diego International Airport, and numerous military aviation installations.

Industry sources report that jet fuel prices surged 33 cents per gallon on October 4, the day following the fire, reflecting immediate market anxiety about supply constraints. California was already facing a structural jet fuel deficit: before the El Segundo disruption, state demand of 176,000 barrels per day was projected to exceed capacity of 146,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025.

"Airlines serving Southern California will see much bigger impacts" than motorists, De Haan noted, as the specialized nature of jet fuel makes it more difficult to source alternatives quickly.

Southern California has recently been receiving between 45,000 and 50,000 barrels per day of jet fuel from South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Traders now expect additional cargoes will be needed in coming weeks to offset lost output from El Segundo, though ocean freight from Asia to California adds approximately 13-15 cents per gallon in transportation costs.

San Diego International Airport, served by Allied Aviation since 1995, has historically proven vulnerable to supply disruptions. According to Allied Aviation, "Jet fuel supply can sometimes be in short supply at times in southern California," though the company notes it has "managed to overcome various supply disruptions while always maintaining a positive inventory for the airline customers at San Diego."

Long Beach Airport, which handles 24 nonstop destinations across the nation, receives jet fuel through various supply chains but lacks the pipeline infrastructure that directly connects LAX to regional refineries. Both airports have recently emphasized sustainable aviation fuel programs, but these alternative fuels represent only a small fraction of total consumption.

Military Implications: The Indo-Pacific Dimension

Perhaps most concerning are the implications for U.S. military readiness in the Pacific theater. California hosts critical defense infrastructure supporting the nation's strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific region, including Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego—the Navy's master helicopter base on the West Coast and home port to multiple aircraft carriers.

Naval Base Coronado, which encompasses NAS North Island and seven other installations, operates as the largest aerospace-industrial complex in the United States Navy. The base hosts 23 aviation squadrons and 80 tenant commands, including Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, San Diego's largest aerospace employer with approximately 3,800 civilian workers.

The Manchester Fuel Depot at Naval Base Kitsap near Seattle represents the largest underground Defense Department fuel storage facility on the West Coast, with an average annual throughput of 2.3 million barrels. However, the closure of Hawaii's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility in 2021—following a major fuel leak that contaminated local drinking water—has already forced the Pacific Fleet to redistribute 250 million gallons of fuel storage capacity to other locations throughout the Indo-Pacific, including increased reliance on West Coast sources.

Defense Logistics Agency Energy, which sustains military operations globally, has been actively seeking to expand maritime refueling capacity throughout the Pacific. A recent solicitation examined the Davao Region in the Philippines for facilities capable of handling up to 42 million gallons of fuel annually for naval distillate (F76) and aviation fuel (JP5).

"These expanded logistical efforts come amid concerns of a lack of supply nodes west of the International Date Line in the event of a conflict with China, as well as the tyranny of distance between the continental United States and the Western Pacific," according to analysis published by USNI News in July 2025.

Travis Air Force Base in Northern California, known as the "Gateway to the Pacific," handles more cargo and passenger traffic than any other military air terminal in the United States. The base hosts the 60th Air Mobility Wing and 349th Air Mobility Wing, operating C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster strategic airlift aircraft as well as KC-10 Extender aerial refueling tankers—all of which depend on reliable jet fuel supplies.

The Calnev Pipeline's service to Edwards Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base represents another critical military dependency on California's vulnerable refinery network. Any extended disruption to El Segundo production could necessitate costly workarounds, including increased tanker truck deliveries or emergency fuel imports.

Political Reversal and Economic Reality

The timing of the El Segundo fire could hardly be worse for California's political leadership. Governor Gavin Newsom has spent months navigating what observers describe as a "180-degree political pirouette"—shifting from denouncing oil companies as price-gouging polluters to desperately seeking ways to keep refineries operational.

In October 2024, Newsom signed legislation (AB-1) empowering the California Energy Commission to set minimum petroleum product inventory levels for refiners, ostensibly to prevent price spikes. The law allows regulators to adjust storage requirements based on regional conditions and refinery size. However, Phillips 66 cited this legislation as the final straw in its decision to close the Los Angeles refinery.

State legislators have reportedly offered Valero subsidies—potentially between $80 million and $200 million—to cover maintenance costs and prevent the Benicia closure. Those negotiations appear to have stalled. "It seems there is now no path that remains for Valero to remain," said Mario Giuliani, city manager of Benicia, in September 2025.

The policy whiplash reflects California's struggle to manage its ambitious energy transition timeline. The state has mandated that all new passenger vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2035, yet still burns 13 billion gallons of gasoline annually to power 30 million cars and light trucks that travel 340 billion miles each year.

"The evolution Newsom envisions requires the state to continue some refining until the last of the state's gasoline-powered cars are permanently parked, raising questions about how the change would be managed," noted Dan Walters, a CalMatters columnist.

Market Impact and Price Projections

Californians already pay the nation's highest gasoline prices—$4.65 per gallon on October 5, 2025, compared to $3.22 nationally, according to AAA. The state's fuel taxes, specialized CARBOB (California Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending) requirements, and other regulatory costs add approximately $1.40 per gallon above baseline refining costs.

University of Southern California professor Michael Mische, writing for the Pacific Research Institute, estimated that price impacts from the El Segundo fire alone could range from 3-8 cents per gallon for a low-severity, short-term disruption to 15-23 cents per gallon or more for a high-severity, long-term shutdown. Before the Chevron incident, Mische had already projected California gasoline prices could reach $8 per gallon in 2026 due to the Phillips 66 and Valero closures.

Severin Borenstein, an economist at UC Berkeley's Energy Institute, told the Los Angeles Times "we could see a significant price spike if in-state inventories are limited."

The wholesale market reaction has been swift. StoneX analyst Alex Hodes noted that "in a region that was already expected to see some tightness in supplies after a refinery shutdown this December, the fire could provide support to basis values in the area and a scramble ahead of the closure."

Multiple units at El Segundo were confirmed shut down following the fire, including the 60,000-barrel-per-day catalytic reformer, 45,000-bpd hydrocracker, and 73,000-bpd fluid catalytic cracker, according to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. While the refinery's crude distillation units remained operational, the loss of these critical processing units significantly reduces the facility's ability to produce finished fuels.

The Regulatory Environment

California once supported dozens of refineries. Today, only nine remain operational, with capacity consolidated among fewer companies. In 40 years, the state has seen its refinery count plummet from 40 to 14 amid closures, consolidation, and expansions of surviving facilities.

The remaining operators face mounting regulatory pressures. Valero's Benicia facility received 46 notices of violation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District over five years, with 13 citations in a single recent period. In October 2024, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and California Air Resources Board assessed the largest fine in district history—$82 million—against Valero for air quality violations dating to 2003.

Chevron relocated its corporate headquarters from California to Texas in 2024, signaling what many interpret as a vote of no confidence in the state's business climate for petroleum companies. The company operates refineries in both El Segundo and Richmond, representing about one-third of California's total refining capacity. Chevron has "made no secret about its disdain for California's anti-petroleum policies, while dropping hints that it may close one of its two plants," according to CalMatters analysis.

In 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued serious citations to the El Segundo facility for failures to maintain guardrails and ladderway safety, deficient hazard analyses for chemical leaks and explosion risks, and inadequate heat-illness prevention protocols—all basic requirements for sites handling volatile hydrocarbons.

A 2023 environmental analysis ranked Chevron El Segundo as the worst among some 80 U.S. refineries for discharges of nitrogen and selenium into surrounding waters, particularly Santa Monica Bay. These pollutants pose endocrine disruption, carcinogenic risks, and damage to marine ecosystems, according to environmental health researchers.

Infrastructure Under Stress

The El Segundo refinery, constructed in 1911, spans approximately 1,000 acres adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport. The facility receives crude oil 20% via pipeline from California sources and 80% via marine terminal. Its finished product distribution includes 110,000 barrels per day of gasoline, 100,000 bpd of jet fuel and diesel, 25,000 bpd of fuel oils and petroleum coke, and 9,000 bpd of liquefied petroleum gas.

The refinery's total storage capacity of 12.5 million barrels across approximately 150 major tanks makes it a critical buffer for regional supply stability. However, industry analysts note that California gasoline inventories were already running about 10% below their five-year average in late September 2025, before the fire.

"Seasonal maintenance at refineries is also underway, which typically reduces output heading into the fall," noted OilPrice.com in an October 8 analysis. "Add in steady demand from motorists and elevated jet fuel consumption at Los Angeles International Airport, and the system has very little cushion."

The fire broke out in the refinery's jet fuel production unit around 9:30 p.m. local time on October 2. Residents described the explosion as sounding like "a plane about to crash" followed by "a big whoosh" that caused curtains to flip up and houses to shake. A University of California-San Diego camera captured video of the explosion, showing a massive orange fireball that illuminated the western Los Angeles sky.

Emergency responders from El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, whose fire station sits just a quarter-mile from the refinery gates, arrived within minutes. A temporary shelter-in-place order was issued for portions of Manhattan Beach before being lifted around 1 a.m. October 3. Pacific Coast Highway, which had previously seen forced closures earlier in 2025 due to the Palisades Fire, was temporarily shut before reopening later that morning.

Environmental and Health Concerns

While initial air quality monitoring showed most surrounding stations reporting "good" conditions, particle levels briefly spiked at several locations just east of El Segundo. The South Coast Air Quality Management District conducted mobile monitoring, though officials cautioned that elevated particulate matter and air toxins could settle as the smoke dispersed.

Dr. Kia Nikoomanesh, a pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital, warned that particulate inhalation from refinery fires can lead to inflammation and serious health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations. "Anytime there's a fire, whether it's through a refinery or whether it's a wildfire, there's particulates that get dispersed in the air, and those are the things people need to be worried about," he said.

Los Angeles Waterkeeper expressed concern that "aerial disposition of pollutants remains a significant concern. Not only will this impact air quality but will also ultimately have water pollution impacts as it settles on surfaces and ultimately gets mobilized."

This is far from El Segundo's first major incident. At least four other fires have been reported at the facility since 2016. In December 2022, an isolated fire was quickly extinguished, but the pattern of repeated incidents has drawn scrutiny from safety regulators.

Looking Ahead: Difficult Choices

As California confronts its fuel supply crisis, policymakers face a series of unappealing options. They can attempt to subsidize refineries to delay closures, potentially creating moral hazard as other operators threaten shutdowns to extract their own payments. They can accelerate imports of gasoline and jet fuel from Asia, accepting higher costs and longer, more vulnerable supply chains. Or they can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and alternative fuels, risking supply shortages and price spikes in the interim.

Stanford economists Neale Mahoney and Ryan Cummings found in a June 2025 analysis that replacing lost refinery capacity with marine imports is technically feasible, noting that California has sufficient port, storage, and distribution capacity. However, they emphasized this requires "streamlined permitting" and careful management to prevent bottlenecks.

"Importantly, this is conditional on streamlined permitting which allows the refinery to convert to a product terminal," they wrote, estimating price impacts between negligible and 15 cents per gallon as an upper bound. "To prevent further consolidation in the market, Benicia's storage and distribution infrastructure should not be acquired by an incumbent with substantial in-state market share."

The military dimension adds urgency to these challenges. As the United States intensifies its focus on the Indo-Pacific—with China's growing naval presence and concerns about Taiwan—maintaining reliable fuel supplies for West Coast military installations becomes a matter of national security, not merely state energy policy.

The Pacific Deterrence Initiative, outlined in Defense Department budget documents, identifies equipment, munitions, fuel, and material as critical categories requiring sustained investment. The program specifically supports "Army-Prepositioned Stock Indo-Pacific equipment maintenance and operations" and improves "readiness of equipment and expansion of unit sets strategically positioned to support Indo-Pacific early entry capabilities."

The closure of Red Hill has already complicated Pacific Fleet logistics. Additional constraints on West Coast refining capacity could force the military to increase its dependence on foreign fuel sources or costly emergency supply chains—precisely the vulnerabilities that adversaries might exploit in a crisis.

Conclusion

The El Segundo fire serves as a clarifying moment for California's energy future. The state's ambitious environmental goals, while laudable in intent, have collided with the hard realities of energy infrastructure, market economics, and geopolitical necessity. With nearly 40 million residents, the nation's largest economy, and critical military installations supporting Pacific operations, California cannot afford the fuel supply chaos that its current trajectory promises.

Whether the damaged El Segundo refinery returns to full operation, how quickly Phillips 66 and Valero complete their exits, and whether the state can successfully navigate the transition to imported fuels will determine California's energy security for years to come. For military planners, aviation operators, and millions of daily commuters, the stakes could not be higher.

As Chevron continues its investigation into what caused the October 2 explosion—with a full failure analysis promised within 30 days—the incident stands as a stark reminder that California's fuel infrastructure is both critical and increasingly fragile. The state that once led the nation in oil production now finds itself perilously dependent on a shrinking number of aging refineries and distant foreign suppliers, with military readiness and civilian mobility hanging in the balance.

I'll analyze whether the federal government could require development of California refineries as a national defense priority, examining the legal frameworks and practical considerations.

Sidebar: Federal Authority for Defense-Related Energy Infrastructure

Defense Production Act (DPA) Powers

The federal government's strongest tool would be the Defense Production Act of 1950, which grants the President broad authority to:

1. Prioritize contracts for materials deemed necessary for national defense
2. Require businesses to accept and prioritize defense-related contracts
3. Allocate materials, services, and facilities for national defense needs
4. Expand production capacity of critical materials and technologies

The DPA has been invoked for energy infrastructure before - most recently for battery materials and clean energy technologies. Given the document's emphasis on how California refineries supply critical military installations (Naval Air Station North Island, Travis Air Force Base, Edwards Air Force Base), the President could potentially invoke the DPA to:

• Prevent refinery closures that would impact military fuel supply
• Require companies to maintain or expand refining capacity
• Direct resources toward refinery construction or modernization

National Security Justification

Based on the document, several factors strengthen a national security argument:

1. Indo-Pacific Strategy: California refineries support the U.S. strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific, with critical fuel supply for Pacific Fleet operations

2. Military Installation Dependencies:

   • Travis Air Force Base ("Gateway to the Pacific") handles more military cargo than any other U.S. air terminal
   • The Calnev Pipeline supplies Edwards and Nellis Air Force Bases
   • Naval Base Coronado operates as the Navy's largest aerospace-industrial complex

3. Loss of Alternative Infrastructure: The closure of Hawaii's Red Hill facility has already forced redistribution of 250 million gallons of fuel storage, increasing West Coast dependency

4. Supply Chain Vulnerability: California's isolation (no interstate pipelines) creates a strategic vulnerability that adversaries could exploit

Potential Federal Actions

Direct Intervention Options

1. Prohibition of Closures: Use DPA authority to prohibit Valero and other refineries from closing, classifying them as critical defense infrastructure

2. Mandatory Production Levels: Require minimum refining capacity to meet military needs

3. Federal Operation: In extreme cases, temporarily nationalize or federally operate facilities deemed critical (though this would be unprecedented in peacetime)

4. Construction Requirements: Direct private companies to build new refining capacity or modernize existing facilities

Indirect Leverage

1. Federal Preemption: Override California regulations that make refinery operations economically unviable
2. Defense Contractor Requirements: Make refinery operation a condition for other federal contracts
3. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Integration: Tie refinery operations to SPR management

Legal and Political Challenges

Constitutional Considerations

• Commerce Clause: Strong federal authority over interstate commerce
• War Powers: Enhanced authority during national security emergencies
• Takings Clause: Compensation requirements if property rights are affected

State vs. Federal Tension

California's environmental regulations (CARBOB requirements, emissions standards) could conflict with federal mandates. The Supremacy Clause would generally favor federal action for genuine national security needs, but political resistance would be significant.

Practical Limitations

1. Economic Viability: Even with federal mandates, companies might choose to exit the market entirely rather than operate at a loss

2. Technical Challenges: Building new refineries takes years and faces:

   • Environmental review requirements (NEPA)
   • Local opposition and permitting challenges
   • Massive capital requirements ($5-10 billion per refinery)

3. Workforce Issues: Skilled refinery workers are increasingly scarce

Historical Precedents

• World War II: Extensive use of defense production authorities for fuel production
• 1970s Energy Crisis: Federal intervention in energy markets, though not forced refinery construction
• COVID-19: DPA used for medical supplies and vaccines, showing modern willingness to invoke these powers

Most Likely Scenario

Rather than forcing new refinery construction, the federal government would more likely:

1. Prevent Strategic Closures: Use DPA to delay or prevent closure of refineries critical to military supply
2. Provide Federal Subsidies: Offer financial incentives to maintain operations
3. Modify Regulations: Preempt specific California regulations that threaten national security interests
4. Enhance Import Infrastructure: Invest in port and storage facilities to secure foreign fuel supplies

Conclusion

The federal government likely could require development or maintenance of California refineries under national defense authorities, particularly the Defense Production Act. The military's dependence on California refineries for Indo-Pacific operations provides strong justification.

However, would they? This would represent an extraordinary intervention in private markets and state regulatory authority. More likely, the federal government would use a combination of preventing closures, providing subsidies, and enhancing import capabilities rather than mandating new refinery construction.

The situation presents a genuine national security vulnerability that could justify federal action, especially if geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific escalate.

 

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Sources and Citations

Government and Regulatory Documents

1. California Energy Commission. "California law and refinery closure reflect ongoing challenges for the state's fuel market." U.S. Energy Information Administration. October 29, 2024. Available at: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=63944

2. U.S. Congress, Congressional Research Service. "U.S. Defense Infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific: Background and Issues for Congress." Report R47589. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47589

3. U.S. Department of Defense. "Pacific Deterrence Initiative Department of Defense Budget, FY2025." Available at: https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025_Pacific_Deterrence_Initiative.pdf

4. U.S. Department of Energy. "State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Program: Pipeline Backgrounder." August 2023. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/Pipeline%20Backgrounder_FINAL_508.pdf

5. Oregon Department of Energy. "Fuel Supply & Distribution System — Energy Info." Available at: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/overview

Industry Reports and Analysis

6. Mahoney, Neale and Ryan Cummings. "An Analysis of The Valero Benicia Refinery Closure on Gasoline Prices in California." Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). June 20, 2025. Available at: https://nealemahoney.substack.com/p/an-analysis-of-the-valero-benicia

7. Stillwater Associates. "How will Valero's Benicia refinery shutdown impact West Coast fuel supply?" May 12, 2025. Available at: https://stillwaterassociates.com/how-will-valeros-benicia-refinery-shutdown-impact-west-coast-fuel-supply/

8. Pacific Research Institute. "How Much Will Gas Prices Rise After So Cal Refinery Fire?" October 7, 2025. Available at: https://www.pacificresearch.org/how-much-will-gas-prices-rise-after-so-cal-refinery-fire/

9. OilPrice.com. "Fire at Chevron's El Segundo Refinery Threatens California Fuel Supply." October 8, 2025. Available at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fire-at-Chevrons-El-Segundo-Refinery-Threatens-California-Fuel-Supply.html

10. BTimesonline. "Chevron's El Segundo Refinery Fire Knocks Out Units, Jet Fuel Prices Surge 33 Cents." October 4, 2025. Available at: https://www.btimesonline.com/articles/175543/20251004/chevron-s-el-segundo-refinery-fire-knocks-out-units-jet-fuel-prices-surge-33-cents.htm

News Media Coverage

11. CalMatters. "Refinery fire spotlights California's gas supply crunch and high prices at the pump." Dan Walters. October 7, 2025. Available at: https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/10/refinery-fire-gas-prices-california/

12. Fortune. "California's 'impossible' dream of ending fossil fuels isn't working, and now it's looking at price spikes and shortages." October 9, 2025. Available at: https://fortune.com/2025/10/09/california-gasoline-dire-phillips-66-refinery-closure-chevron-fire/

13. CNN. "Massive fire breaks out at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/03/us/refinery-fire-los-angeles-hnk

14. ABC News. "Fire erupts at Chevron refinery in El Segundo." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/large-fire-erupts-chevron-refinery-southern-california/story?id=126171692

15. Los Angeles Times/CBS Los Angeles. "Large fire erupts at Los Angeles-area Chevron refinery in El Segundo." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/large-fire-erupts-at-los-angeles-county-refinery/

16. ABC7 Los Angeles. "Chevron refinery fire: Explosion rocks El Segundo, Manhattan Beach region." October 4, 2025. Available at: https://abc7.com/live-updates/chevron-refinery-explosion-possible-blast-massive-fire-erupts-el-segundo/17928145/

17. CNBC. "Massive fire breaks out at Chevron oil refinery in California." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/03/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-chevron-oil-refinery-in-california.html

18. LAist. "What the El Segundo Chevron refinery explosion means for air quality and gas prices." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/chevron-plant-el-segundo-fire-impact-air-quality

19. The Globe and Mail. "Fire breaks out in jet fuel unit at Chevron's Los Angeles refinery." October 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-fire-chevron-los-angeles-el-segundo-refinery/

20. World Socialist Web Site. "El Segundo refinery fire the product of bipartisan dismantling of safety regulations." October 6, 2025. Available at: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/10/06/txlv-o06.html

21. San Diego Union-Tribune. "Fuel shortage prompting flights leaving San Diego to make pit stops in L.A., Phoenix, Vegas." January 3, 2023. Available at: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/transportation/story/2023-01-02/airport-fuel-shortage-san-diego

Corporate Announcements

22. Phillips 66. "Phillips 66 provides notice of its plan to cease operations at Los Angeles-area refinery." Press Release. October 16, 2024. Available at: https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2024/Phillips-66-provides-notice-of-its-plan-to-cease-operations-at-Los-Angeles-area-refinery/default.aspx

23. Valero Energy Corporation. "Valero Announces Notice to the California Energy Commission Regarding its Benicia, California, Refinery." Press Release. April 16, 2025. Available at: https://investorvalero.com/news/news-details/2025/Valero-Announces-Notice-to-the-California-Energy-Commission-Regarding-its-Benicia-California-Refinery/default.aspx

24. City of Benicia. "Press Release: Valero Benicia Refinery Announces Intent to Cease Operations in 2026." April 16, 2025. Available at: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/index.asp?SEC=168344BF-D432-4104-A49E-CCC4A509780B&DE=9AF0EF4C-E6CC-47D1-9160-C7F5BB26F734

25. Chevron Corporation. "El Segundo Refinery Overview." Available at: https://elsegundo.chevron.com/-/media/elsegundo/news/documents/refinery-overview.pdf

Military and Defense Sources

26. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. "About United States Indo-Pacific Command." Available at: https://www.pacom.mil/About-USINDOPACOM/

27. Defense Logistics Agency. "DLA Energy Indo-Pacific." Available at: https://www.dla.mil/Energy/About/Locations/Pacific/

28. USNI News. "Pentagon Eyes Southern Philippines as Refueling Hub for U.S. Warships, Military Aircraft." July 22, 2025. Available at: https://news.usni.org/2025/07/22/pentagon-eyes-southern-philippines-as-refueling-base-for-u-s-warships-military-aircraft

29. California Military Council. "California Military Bases." Available at: https://militarycouncil.ca.gov/s_californiamilitarybases/

30. Naval Air Systems Command. "North Island | NAVAIR." Available at: https://www.navair.navy.mil/location/northisland

Pipeline and Infrastructure

31. Wikipedia. "Calnev Pipeline." Last modified July 2, 2025. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calnev_Pipeline

32. Global Energy Monitor. "Calnev Oil Products Pipeline." April 29, 2021. Available at: https://www.gem.wiki/Calnev_Oil_Products_Pipeline

33. Kinder Morgan. "Products Home Page." Available at: https://www.kindermorgan.com/Operations/Products/Index

34. Allied Aviation. "Allied Aviation SAN Main." Available at: https://alliedaviation.com/locations/SAN/san.html

Additional Analysis

35. Institute for Energy Research. "California's Refinery Situation Looks Like It Will Get Worse." April 25, 2025. Available at: https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/gas-and-oil/californias-refinery-situation-looks-like-it-will-get-worse/

36. San Francisco Chronicle. "California city official: 'no path' to Valero refinery staying open." September 2025. Available at: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/benicial-valero-refinery-21051229.php

37. California Globe. "Potential Impact of Retail Gas Prices of the Chevron El Segundo Fire." Available at: https://californiaglobe.com/fl/potential-impact-of-retail-gas-prices-of-the-chevron-el-segundo-fire/

38. Daily Breeze. "Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery redevelopment unknown amid environmental, economic concerns." October 6, 2025. Available at: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/10/06/phillips-66-los-angeles-refinery-redevelopment-unknown-amid-environmental-economic-concerns/amp/

39. Oil & Gas Journal. "Phillips 66 to permanently shutter Los Angeles refinery." October 2024. Available at: https://www.ogj.com/refining-processing/article/55236329/phillips-66-to-permanently-shutter-los-angeles-refinery

40. Rigzone. "Valero Mulls Shutdown of California Refinery, Books $1.1B Impairment." April 21, 2025. Available at: https://www.rigzone.com/news/valero_mulls_shutdown_of_california_refinery_books_11b_impairment-21-apr-2025-180290-article/