Episode June 9, 2026 52 min 8s

Ronald Stein: “California Refinery Crisis” | Tom Nelson Pod #401

Ronald Stein discusses California’s “refinery crisis,” arguing that heavy regulation is driving remaining refineries to consider leaving, after recent closures and a reported 17% decline from peak refining. He says California is an “energy island” with no pipelines over the Sierra Nevada, so most fuel must be made in-state; otherwise it would come from foreign refineries, potentially in Asia, raising costs, emissions, and national security concerns for military and international airports, ports, and trucking. Stein contends wind and solar only generate electricity and cannot replace refined-oil products used for transportation fuels and countless derivatives. He criticizes politicians and the press for not addressing practical replacement plans and advocates “energy literacy.”

00:00 Refinery Crisis Begins

00:42 California Energy Island

01:22 Fuel Demand Reality Check

02:03 Refineries Leaving Warning

02:58 Climate Policy Pushback

04:12 Voters Politicians Press

05:04 Wind Solar Limits

06:00 No Backup Plan

06:14 Regulators And Newsom

08:49 Oil Derivatives Explained

09:47 Crude Types And Fracking

11:46 How Regulations Drive Out