No proof of gouging at the pump

Kudos to columnist Dan Walters and his recent CalMatters commentary on how “Newsom can’t prove gouging at the pump.” Mr. Walters successfully “schools” Gov. Newsom and his fellow California politicians on their “farcical efforts to reduce the state’s high gasoline prices.”

Gov. Newsom continues his crusade against the oil industry mimicking the mythical Don Quixote on his donkey chasing impractical idealistic goals. The governor is in complete denial as to the real reasons why we have the highest gasoline prices in the country. These reasons, which are completely under his and Democrat legislative control, are high taxes, a unique fuel blend and the high cost of doing business in California.

As a former oil industry executive, I have been involved in numerous alleged price gouging and price fixing investigations by both federal and state agencies. Every one of these investigations was abandoned due to the lack of any persuasive evidence oil companies were complicit. The oil industry is highly competitive without collusion. Oil is a commodity and its price is set by world supply and demand. Fuel prices are determined by supply and demand in local markets which is heavily influenced by state policies. These are the facts! All other allegations being made against the oil industry are Gavin Newsom Quixote’s “Impossible Dream.”

George Batavick, La Quinta

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: No proof of gouging at the pump