The Misconception of California’s Lower Demand for Gasoline and Diesel Sparks Debate

California’s energy debate often rests on a convenient narrative: gasoline and diesel demand is falling, so aging refineries can—and should—simply close. A recent CalMatters commentary by Ranjit Deshmukh, an environmental studies associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, advances exactly this view. Titled in essence “Aging oil refineries don’t need more public dollars. California should let […]

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German Industry Warns Energy-Price Shock is Crippling Investment and Growth

German companies are delaying investments and increasingly eyeing production moves abroad as stubbornly high energy costs erode competitiveness, according to the latest survey from the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). The findings, highlighted in a July 27, 2026 Bloomberg report drawing on the DIHK’s Energiewende Barometer 2026, underscore deepening structural pressures from Germany’s […]

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PG and E Cuts Power to ~7,800 Customers in Proactive Public Safety Power Shutoff Amid High Winds and Elevated Wildfire Risk

Energy News Beat Channel | July 16, 2026 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting approximately 7,800 customers across small portions of 10 counties in Northern and Central California. The action, announced on July 14, 2026, began in the afternoon of July 15 as a precautionary measure […]

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Jack Prandelli stops by the Energy News Beat Global Oil and Gas Markets Update

You won’t want to miss this episode with Jack Prandelli from Switzerland. As an international trader and Substack Author, Jack has been on target with his articles on global oil and Gas Markets. Check out The Merchant’s News : https://themerchantsnews.substack.com/ Follow Jack on X @jackprandelli Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prandelligiacomo/ Add Free for our SubStack Subscribers. Jack Prandelli […]

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Phillips 66 CEO Mark Lashier warned of greater refining and petrochemical earnings volatility from Hormuz disruptions

Phillips 66 Chairman and CEO Mark Lashier issued a clear warning on June 24, 2026, at the Reuters Global Energy Forum in New York: refining and petrochemical earnings face greater volatility due to ongoing uncertainty from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Lashier highlighted how uncertainty in crude supply and shipping lanes causes refining margins […]

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