Nevada Gas Prices Spike
Nevada gas prices jumped 18% in the past month, now 73 cents above the national average, due to strained California refineries and broader policy issues.
Nevada relies heavily on California for its fuel supply, with 88% coming from there. This dependence makes Nevada vulnerable to California's market fluctuations and policies. California's refineries are facing closures, reducing refining capacity by approximately 20%. Valero Energy Corporation is planning to shut down its Benicia refinery by the end of April 2026, and Phillips 66 closed its Los Angeles refinery in the fourth quarter of 2025. These closures could lead to fuel shortages and price spikes in Nevada. Governor Lombardo has expressed concerns about California's policies, particularly revisions to the Cap-and-Invest Program, which could further raise gas prices in Nevada. He has reached out to California Governor Newsom to assess the potential impacts of these policies on neighboring states. The Energy & Convenience Association of Nevada (ECAN) suggests Nevada needs to look at other fuel sources to compensate for the expected loss from California. Senator Robin Titus is forming a task force to explore alternatives to relying on California fuel.
