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

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

#81

Post by JimBlackwood »

Avicebron wrote: post #66
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.

I suppose it's too much to ask that oil produced in the US be used for the US people?

I don’t think it is. If we can then also ensure the US stops meddling in international affairs, we can all be happy!

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

#82

Post by abhiyerra »

Avicebron wrote: post #66
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.

I suppose it's too much to ask that oil produced in the US be used for the US people?

The type of oil that the US produces (light and sweet) can't be handled by US refineries which need (heavy sours). Why we are still a major importer of oil.

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

#83

Post by gruez »

hx8 wrote: post #35

Isn't 4-6 weeks about normal conditions? It feels like a large amount of slack for a modern JIT logistical system. Anymore enters strategic reserves territory.

Not sure about california specifically, but elsewhere in the world stocks are definitely lower than normal.

https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,quality=10...

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

#84

Post by JumpCrisscross »

com2kid wrote: post #37
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #27

I’m surprised that only “18.9% of new car sales” in California are electric [1]. [1] https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2026-01/california-surpasses-...

Other countries have $15k new electric city cars for sale. The US doesn't. Our domestic car manufacturers are either uninterested or unable to make them, and import bans are in place on foreign cars that meet that price point. Also our infra not being 240v is hurting us. The rest of the world can just plug in overnight to any regular outlet and it is good enough for almost any commute. My EV on a 120v outlet I can ma…

> our infra not being 240v is hurting us

The 240V requirement has been overplayed, in my opinion. I still have a gas car. But my driving needs would easily be covered with 110V.

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

#85

Post by [deleted] »

com2kid wrote: post #55
hamdingers wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bicycle and moderate fitness is the ultimate in self-reliance but you never heard them promoting that either.

Bicycle doesn't carry a family of 4, or carry loads of dirt or pick up lumber or tow a trailer. Also my e-bike needs more maintenance than my EV. Go figure.

[deleted]

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

#86

Post by wilg »

kyrra wrote: post #64
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.

California also needs a special blend that is only required in California (CARBOB). A lot of that is refined outside of the US, because there is not the capacity domestically. Cali could immediately have more fuel and cheaper prices by dropping their special requirements.

Nice of Donald Trump to force us into a choice between poisoning the air and financial hardship! But at least it was for a good reason: ???

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

#87

Post by 0cf8612b2e1e »

TheGRS wrote: post #67
pear01 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In such a situation - especially heading into the midterms - an export ban may be increasingly probable.

This is way outside of my area of expertise, but I thought US export oil was not fungible with what we consume.

Fake numbers, but I have heard it is something like the US produces 100 units of light crude -exports it all, and imports 50 units of heavy. Net exporter, but the stuff we use domestically for gas refineries comes from elsewhere.

Technically, the refineries can be retooled to take a different blend, but it is expensive to do.

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

#88

Post by pear01 »

mjhay wrote: post #68
pear01 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In such a situation - especially heading into the midterms - an export ban may be increasingly probable.

An export ban wouldn’t really help much: US oil production is (now) predominantly light crude, while US refinery capacity is oriented towards heavy crude from the gulf or Venezuela. We produce more oil than we use, but we can’t refine it all.

It may be a bad idea (for various reasons), but it is one already being floated. Here is a press release just today from a California congressman who is proposing a bill to this effect.

https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congre...

If you agree with the parent that Americans are going to feel more energy market pain in the coming months I would imagine the pressure for this will only increase.

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

#89

Post by dylan604 »

com2kid wrote: post #37
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #27

I’m surprised that only “18.9% of new car sales” in California are electric [1]. [1] https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2026-01/california-surpasses-...

Other countries have $15k new electric city cars for sale. The US doesn't. Our domestic car manufacturers are either uninterested or unable to make them, and import bans are in place on foreign cars that meet that price point. Also our infra not being 240v is hurting us. The rest of the world can just plug in overnight to any regular outlet and it is good enough for almost any commute. My EV on a 120v outlet I can ma…

Most residential mains is 240v on two legs that gets divided to 120v outlets. However, major appliances like dryer/HVAC will use the 240v. I had a 240v outlet added to my garage for larger equipment. It is absolutely possible to add a 240v charger at single family homes with a visit from an electrician. The US standard of 120v is not an issue.
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