Our most populated state has driven gas prices through the roof and drivers into electric vehicles... which means less tax revenue from the sale of gasoline.
Gotta make it up somehow... so it's time to have a tax on miles driven.
That would mean installing mileage tracking and reporting devices on all vehicles.
Whoever makes these should see its stock soar.
Link: https://nypost.com/2026/02/04/us-news/valero-shuts-california-refinery-early-as-gas-prices-poised-to-spike/
...transitions are costly as the state prepares to the future. BTW, the Benicia refinery has been unprofitable for awhile now...
---------------------
AI Overview
California currently has a legal, longstanding moratorium on new nuclear power plants, originally passed in 1976, which prohibits new construction until the federal government develops a solution for long-term nuclear waste disposal. However, the state is reconsidering this stance, with recent legislative discussions and potential moves to allow for new technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet climate goals.
Current Status and Developments:
Moratorium: The California Energy Commission (CEC) cannot approve new nuclear plants until safe, permanent high-level waste disposal is available.
Shifting Attitudes: Due to pressing climate goals and energy demands, there is a renewed, cautious interest in new, safe, and advanced nuclear technologies like SMRs.
Legislative Action: There are active discussions in the California legislature to potentially exempt advanced, smaller reactors from the existing moratorium.
Diablo Canyon: The state is actively working to keep its last operating plant, Diablo Canyon Power Plant, open past its planned retirement date to ensure grid reliability.
While a full-scale, immediate reversal of the 1976 ban hasn't happened yet, California is moving toward a more open, "all of the above" energy strategy, which could eventually include next-generation nuclear, notes the Anthropocene Institute.
-----------------
….but many more libs will flee the disastrous results of their policies, just to vote for it elsewhere.
Newsome’s World.
First, in Missouri, I pay an extra $150/year to register my “alternate fuel vehicle”. That is already more than I would pay in state fuel tax given my driving patterns.
A Federal excise tax on passenger tires is also another way to address this. (There is already a federal tax on certain commercial truck tires.). Tire usage is a reasonable proxy for miles driven. Probably a better proxy for actual wear-and-tear on roads as higher load rates tires for heavier cars/trucks could be charged a higher rate. For example, my Tesla requires XL ( eXtra Load) rated tires, as do some pickups and heavier SUVs
Consent Management