Phillips 66 is closing Wilmington-area refineries after more than a century, marking the end of an era
Over more than 100 years, the Wilmington and Carson oil refineries have pumped out millions of barrels of gasoline, filling the thirsty cars of Southern California’s freeway-driving motorists.
Now, in an abrupt move that reflects the tectonic industry shifts driven by climate change, the transition to electric vehicles and demands for cleaner air, Phillips 66 announced Wednesday that late next year it is closing the twin refinery complex that produces about 8% of the state’s gasoline.
The Houston company, which has operated the refineries since its 2012 spin off from ConocoPhillips, said it would replace their output with sources “inside and outside its refining network” and with renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels from its San Francisco Bay Area refinery.
“Phillips 66 remains committed to serving California and will continue to take the necessary steps to meet our commercial and customer demands,” said Mark Lashier, the company’s chairman and chief executive. “We understand this decision has an impact on our employees, contractors and the broader community. We will work to help and support them through this transition.”
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-10-16/phillips-66-will-shut-historic-wilmington-refinery
Naturally the Republicans are already blaming Newsom for these refinery closures.
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Consumption is still considered below pre-COVID levels and I would assume that is due at least in part to the increasing number of EVs on CA roads as well as hybrid work policies.
