As Nevada endures one of its warmest and driest winters on record, Governor Joe Lombardo is pursuing a policy shift that could deepen the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, despite a statewide mandate for renewable energy. The governor’s “fuel resiliency subcommittee,” established in late 2025, is examining ways to alter Nevada’s gasoline and diesel supply chains.
The initiative, fueled by concerns over price fluctuations and supply disruptions, is largely driven by lobbying from fossil fuel trade groups advocating for a break from California, Nevada’s primary fuel supplier. These groups propose sourcing fuel from eastern states instead. However, experts argue that California’s fuel policies are not the primary driver of high prices for Nevada consumers.
“High gasoline prices are driven by broad market forces,” said Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Those forces only reinforce the urgency to transition from polluting transportation fuels.”
A central claim made by proponents of the governor’s initiative is that California refineries are shutting down due to the state’s climate policies. This assertion, however, is not supported by the available evidence. According to industry analysts, refinery closures are primarily a result of market dynamics and the age and inefficiency of the facilities.
California’s gasoline consumption has been declining since 2017, a trend expected to continue as electric vehicles become more affordable, and popular. Simultaneously, California’s refineries are struggling to compete with newer, more efficient mega-refineries abroad. This combination of decreased demand and increased global competition is rendering California’s refineries obsolete, diminishing the incentive for investment in their upkeep.
The shutdown of refineries, rather than leading to lower prices, has created an oligopoly where remaining refineries can inflate prices, capitalizing on reduced competition. The California Division of Petroleum Market Oversight has documented this phenomenon, estimating that California refiners have overcharged consumers by $59 billion since 2015.
Emily Diaz-Loar, a scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, argues that the solution lies not in expanding fossil fuel infrastructure, but in accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources. “The only way to escape gasoline pricing volatility is to move on from these polluting relics to a cleaner, more affordable, stable and resilient energy economy,” she stated.
A 2025 report indicates that Nevadan drivers could save up to $36,000 over the lifetime of an electric vehicle compared to a gasoline-powered car – a savings of up to 30 percent. Lombardo, a former Sheriff of Clark County, took office in January 2023, defeating incumbent Steve Sisolak. He has also announced his candidacy for reelection in 2026, likely facing Nevada’s Democrat Attorney General Aaron Ford in the general election.
Nevada has already committed to a full transition to renewable energy and is promoting the “Lithium Loop” as a key economic driver. The demand for lithium is largely fueled by the production of electric vehicle batteries. Despite this commitment, the governor’s focus on fuel resiliency raises questions about the state’s long-term energy strategy.
Governor Lombardo recently announced the deployment of firefighting resources to Southern California to assist in battling severe wildfires, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with the state despite ongoing policy disagreements. In a joint letter with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Lombardo also expressed concerns to California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding proposed legislation related to refinery inventory supplies.
The governor’s fuel resiliency subcommittee is scheduled to continue its meetings throughout the spring of 2026, with no firm timeline for recommendations. The committee’s next steps remain unclear as it navigates the complex interplay of market forces, environmental concerns, and political pressures.