California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply • Hacker News Board

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#141

Post by flumpmaster » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

daedrdev wrote: post #52

tpurves wrote: post #45

What this article fails to mention is that there are also a record number of empty tankers routed to the US refineries right now, with the intention of shifting still-relatively cheap US oil products to overseas markets where the prices are already much higher and shortages have already hit. The effects of the Iran war on the US economy will really start to kick in over the next several months.

Once again, its illegal to use that oil in California due to (imo bad) environmental regulations

If you are referring to American light crude oil grades such as WTI (West Texas Intermediate) that is not correct. That oil could be refined in California. It would have to come by tanker from the gulf coast through the Panama Canal to get there. Until recently it would have to come on a Jones Act US flagged tanker (expensive, scarce). That requirement has been temporarily waived.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#142

Post by AnimalMuppet » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

mikeweiss wrote: post #59

When you see the U.S Government making near daily public statements with the intended effect of calming markets and the public.... It's time to be worried. A.K.A when the government says "everything is going to be ok, don't worry we got this under control" that's when shit is bad. This is what we have been seeing. It seems we are near a tipping point now.

Well, things can be bad because they are inherently bad, or things can be bad because people are panicking, and panicking people react in ways that make situations worse.

Saying "it's going to be OK" doesn't change any circumstances. But it may reduce the level of panic (depending on how much the people trust the government), and that can in fact change the way the circumstances evolve.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#143

Post by jsbisviewtiful » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

shadow28 wrote: post #137

throw03172019 wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this an emissions reducing based blend?

Yep, it's a low sulfur, lower volatility gasoline blend ( https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/energy/how-california-reg... ) which apparently cuts harmful exhaust emissions like carbon monoxide and NOx.

Sounds great for people and the environment. Too bad its production is now in danger thanks to horrible, ignorant decisions by this administration.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#144

Post by za3faran » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

traderj0e wrote: post #140

neaden wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who do you think started the current war?

This is oversimplifying war. Whoever struck first isn't necessarily the one who created the conflict.

In this case it is.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#145

Post by daedrdev » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:33 PM UTC

flumpmaster wrote: post #141

daedrdev wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Once again, its illegal to use that oil in California due to (imo bad) environmental regulations

If you are referring to American light crude oil grades such as WTI (West Texas Intermediate) that is not correct. That oil could be refined in California. It would have to come by tanker from the gulf coast through the Panama Canal to get there. Until recently it would have to come on a Jones Act US flagged tanker (expensive, scarce). That requirement has been temporarily waived.

Right I forgot we waived the jones act. Refiners are hard to come by in CA though as they keep shutting down

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#146

Post by AnimalMuppet » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:34 PM UTC

jeffbee wrote: post #94

brightball wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 refineries in California were closed over the last 2 years leading to a 17% reduction in total refining capacity. Per the article, the type of fuel needed by California standards is produced at refineries in India, South Korea and Washington. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65704

... because demand is down. California hit peak gas sales 20 years ago and reaching zero motor fuel sales is foreseeable.

Reaching zero motor fuel sales is foreseeable? By when do you foresee it?

How much below the peak is current sales?

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#147

Post by gjsman-1000 » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:34 PM UTC

jsbisviewtiful wrote: post #143

shadow28 wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep, it's a low sulfur, lower volatility gasoline blend ( https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/energy/how-california-reg... ) which apparently cuts harmful exhaust emissions like carbon monoxide and NOx.

Sounds great for people and the environment. Too bad its production is now in danger thanks to horrible, ignorant decisions by this administration.

[flagged]

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#148

Post by bdcravens » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:35 PM UTC

triceratops wrote: post #117

bdcravens wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but even the renewables market is dependent on petroleum-based transport and infrastructure.

But the more renewables get used the less true that is.

Possibly, or more infrastructure is needed to support the growing demand for renewables, and the equipment is often trucked around using standard freight (large trucks or airplanes), concrete trucks to pour slabs, etc.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#149

Post by AnimalMuppet » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:36 PM UTC

0x1ceb00da wrote: post #95

Interesting. I thought the USA secured cuban oil to prepare for the fallout of the iran war. Was that not enough?

Venezuelan, not Cuban.

And what they secured (if they secured anything) was basically future. It's going to take years to ramp Venezuelan production back up to what it would be with decent management.

Re: California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel supply

#150

Post by theturtle » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:37 PM UTC

GenerWork wrote: post #106

annoyingnoob wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We could die chocking on the air that produces too. Understand the history in CA and the reasons we have special gas. Would you really want to hurt children for cheaper gas? Really? https://today.usc.edu/las-environmental-success-story-cleane...

Those rules around special gasoline were made when both federal and California car exhaust regulations were much looser than today, and electric cars were a complete pipe dream. I've seen estimates ranging for savings from $.25 to $1 per gallon if California dropped the requirements. >Would you really want to hurt children for cheaper gas? Nice appeal to emotion.

[dead]