Overview

Willie Cruz, a former pipe fitter from California, reflects on his career and the impending closure of the Phillips 66 refinery where his son works. After previously experiencing job loss due to a refinery shutdown, Cruz is concerned about the future of workers in the industry as California shifts away from fossil fuels.

Key details

  • Willie Cruz worked for five years in the environmental department at Powerine Oil Company.
  • The Powerine Oil Company refinery in Santa Fe Springs, California, closed thirty years ago.
  • Cruz transitioned to respiratory therapy, motivated by his own asthma and supported by a federal job training program.
  • His son, Wilfredo Cruz, has been employed at the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles for twelve years.
  • The Phillips 66 refinery is set to close by the end of the month.
  • Thousands of workers may face job losses as California reduces its reliance on fossil fuels.
  • The Valero refinery in the Bay Area is also scheduled to close, impacting the job market.
  • California's Democrats are addressing the challenges of job loss and rising gas prices linked to climate policies.
  • State energy regulators are negotiating to keep the Valero plant operational.
  • California was the eighth-largest crude oil producer in the U.S. in 2024, down from third in 2014.
  • The closures of the Valero and Phillips 66 refineries represent about 18% of California's refining capacity.
  • Both refineries produce essential fuels, including jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel.

Context

The transition away from fossil fuels in California is creating uncertainty for workers in the oil industry, who are grappling with potential job losses and the implications of state climate policies.

What happens next

As the Phillips 66 refinery prepares to close, workers and their families are left uncertain about their future employment opportunities and the broader impact of California's energy policies.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific number of jobs affected by the refinery closures and the outcomes of state negotiations with energy companies are not confirmed.