Press Release

Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog told a state panel looking into gasoline price manipulation today that a handful of big oil refiners have been able to charge California drivers 70 cents to $1 more per gallon than the rest of America because they have an information advantage over the rest of the market, the public and regulators.

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Press Release

Los Angeles, CA — The nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog today warned Southern California drivers that they would be facing sticker shock at their gasoline pumps beginning this weekend as the state’s biggest oil refiners raised wholesale prices charged to station owners by 37 cents.

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Press Release

Exxon Parked Tanker In Singapore, Chevron Exported To Drive Price Spike

Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog delivered a report today to a state panel finding that California’s largest oil refiners calibrated imports and exports of gasoline to artificially inflate gasoline prices during the first nine months of 2015, when gas prices were consistently $1 per gallon higher than the nationwide average.

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Press Release

Santa Monica, CA — Tesoro, the state’s second largest refiner, reported today that 2015 was its best year ever for refining in California. Based on an analysis of the company’s annual filing, Consumer Watchdog has found that in 2015 the company made $1.9 billion in California alone- their best year ever by over a billion dollars. The company controls 27% of California’s refining capacity. Tesoro made $423 million in California in the fourth quarter of 2015.

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Press Release

Santa Monica, CA – The three major refiners that provide detailed profit information reported their best ever year to date from oil refining in California. Each company at least tripled their average historical profits in the third quarter, according to Consumer Watchdog’s analysis released today.

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Press Release

Santa Monica, CA – The two California refiners that break out California-specific profits today reported their most lucrative California quarters ever. Tesoro’s & Valero’s quarterly reports for July through September help explain why Californians have paid a dollar per gallon over the US average during 2015, Consumer Watchdog said today. The company more than tripled its per barrel profits.

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Press Release

Santa Monica, CA – California’s 4th largest oil refiner reported today that it made its highest profits ever on oil refining in California this summer. Consumer Watchdog said the investor reports prove that the state’s excessive gasoline prices, which were a dollar more than the US average this summer, were pure profit for the refining industry and unreasonable.

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Press Release

Santa Monica, CA — The oil industry is refusing to produce a single representative to answer questions tomorrow on gasoline supplies and possible manipulation of gasoline prices before advisors to the California Energy Commission, Consumer Watchdog said today. It’s the second rebuff to government. Last March, no oil industry representative was produced to testify before the California Senate on the same issue.

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