A data-driven framing of where California refining stands — demand trajectories, closure timelines, market concentration, and the policy vacuum that has emerged. Sets the stakes for the day's discussions.

This session gives an overview of refining in California, including how the industry developed and the complications it faces today. It covers where the refinery sites stand right now as operations wind down. It then walks through the components of decommissioning, from underground remediation to hauling away contaminated soil.

As California's regulatory landscape continues to evolve, this session brings together key stakeholders to discuss the policy actions that will shape the future of refining. The discussion will explore the implications of the Cap-and-Invest Program on refinery operations, investment decisions, and long-term competitiveness, while identifying practical pathways to balance decarbonization goals with energy reliability and economic resilience.

This session looks at how California keeps fuel supply steady as refining capacity comes offline. It covers import capability, marine and terminal logistics, infrastructure readiness, and the demand scenarios the state is planning against. It then examines the strategies and barriers to keeping supply adequate and affordable through the transition.

Title is a placeholder proposed by Julia May and may be modified by the speaker. 20 minutes including slides and Q&A.

California's fuel policy landscape is shifting as refining capacity, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics continue to evolve. This session evaluates a range of policy scenarios and their potential effects on fuel supply, pricing, and market stability across the state. It examines what policymakers, refiners, and other stakeholders need to weigh as they plan for continued volatility and structural change in California's gasoline market.

As environmental regulations continue to evolve, refinery operators must balance compliance obligations with operational performance and long-term sustainability goals. Join Environmental Directors and HSE leaders as they share practical experiences in emissions reduction, permitting, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and preparing facilities for the next phase of California's energy transition.

Local communities with a refinery in their midst will face multiple challenges when the refinery inevitably closes. But we can start taking action now to prepare for these communities’ transition to a more diversified economy. This session will lay out the multiple issues that communities face upon closure of a refinery, including end-of-life operational risks, site decommissioning and remediation, and redevelopment decision-making, and will discuss how to start addressing those issues now in preparation for future closures.

California has lost roughly a third of its crude refining capacity since 2023, and an increasing share of its transportation fuel now arrives by sea. This session examines what that shift means for supply reliability, port and terminal throughput, and jet fuel at the state's airports and military installations, drawing on two decades of refinery operating experience. The speakers set out their own view of the causes and of the policy response required.

As California's refining capacity contracts, gasoline markets face new pressure points around price volatility, financial risk, and market oversight. This session examines the economic and market mechanics behind these price movements, including the tools used to monitor volatility and identify distortions as supply tightens. It considers what analytical and oversight frameworks are needed to keep fuel markets functioning smoothly through continued structural change.

Changes in refining capacity are reshaping California's fuel supply landscape, requiring new approaches to ensure market stability and energy reliability. This session examines supply chain resilience, import capabilities, marine logistics, infrastructure readiness, and the role of strategic planning in mitigating future supply disruptions.

Refinery operations, closures and phased shutdowns each change the air pollution and health risks facing neighboring communities. Understanding these risks helps regulators, operators and local governments set monitoring, emissions and safety priorities that protect residents while a facility is running, winding down or being dismantled. This session examines what is known about refinery emissions and community exposure, where monitoring and oversight gaps remain, and how health protections can be built into transition and decommissioning planning.

Topic 1: Planning for the Future of Industrial and Refinery Sites

Speaker: Edber Macedo, Los Angeles City Planning

Topic 2: Energy Literacy and the Future of Transportation Fuel Supply

Speakers: Mike Ariza, California State University; Ron Stein, Energy Literacy Consultant

The session will look ahead to California's refining landscape over the next decade, discussing future fuel demand, investment priorities, refinery competitiveness, imports, renewable fuels, infrastructure readiness, and the evolving role of conventional refineries.

As the refining industry evolves, the workforce will play a critical role in delivering a safe and successful transition. Mike Smith will explore how decarbonization, new technologies and changing refinery economics are affecting jobs, skills and workplace safety, and what industry and labor can do together to prepare workers for the future.

California’s refining landscape is changing rapidly as refining capacity declines and the state becomes increasingly dependent on imported crude oil and refined fuels. This session will examine how these shifts are affecting environmental justice communities, fuel affordability, socioeconomic equity and the resilience of California’s energy supply.

Emissions limits, permitting requirements and monitoring obligations continue to apply as refineries reduce throughput, idle units or move toward closure. Clear expectations on these obligations help operators, regulators and neighboring communities avoid compliance gaps and protect air quality at every stage of a transition. This session explores how emissions reduction, permitting and environmental oversight are managed across operating, winding-down and decommissioning phases, and what practical approaches keep facilities compliant and accountable throughout.

Optional tour departing after the close of the conference program. Limited to 35 visitors; confirmed attendee list and signed waiver required. (120 minutes) Registration: https://energyconferencenetwork.swoogo.com/crs26/tour