Nevada Moves to Protect Its Fuel Supply

Governor Joe Lombardo says Nevada needs to be ready to take care of itself when it comes to fuel—the gas and diesel that keep our cars, trucks, tractors, and in Churchill County, our Navy airplanes moving.

Right now, almost all of Nevada’s fuel comes from California. Pipelines carry gasoline and jet fuel across the state line to Sparks, Las Vegas, and even the Navy base in Fallon. That works fine—until something goes wrong.

Two of California’s biggest refineries are closing soon—one near Los Angeles next year and another near San Francisco in 2026. Together, those two refineries produce about one-fifth of California’s fuel. When they shut down, the whole region will feel it. Prices could rise, supplies could run short, and Nevada could be left waiting at the end of the pipeline.

Governor Lombardo wants to fix that before it happens. Last week, he announced plans to form a Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee to study where Nevada gets its fuel, how much we use, and what can be done to ensure we don’t run out if something happens in California.

“Energy security is national security,” Lombardo said. “We need to make sure Nevadans have reliable access to the fuel that keeps our economy and communities running.

The new subcommittee will work with experts, energy companies, and federal agencies to:

• Look for weak spots in how Nevada gets its fuel.
• Plan for emergencies like refinery shutdowns or pipeline breaks.
• Explore new ideas for fuel storage, transportation, and backup supply routes.
• Recommend investments to make the system stronger and more independent.

Because rural communities rely on secure, reliable supply lines for everything from fuel to food, State Senator Robin Titus (R-17) has been urging state officials to act for years.

Titus introduced a bill last session to create an Energy Independence Task Force. The bill never got a hearing, but the governor encouraged her to keep pushing—and now that effort is moving forward.

Energy experts note that Nevada doesn’t have much oil of its own, aside from a small refinery in Nye County that produces asphalt for roads. With most of the state’s fuel imported, one disruption in California could have a ripple effect through rural parts of Nevada.

“We’re at the end of the pipe,” said Miranda Hoover, state executive for the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada. “To keep prices stable, Nevada needs to look for other fuel sources to make up for what’s being lost.”

According to the governor’s press release, the Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee will deliver its findings and recommendations to the governor and the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security in 2026.

“We’re at the end of the pipe,” said Miranda Hoover, state executive for the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada. “To keep prices stable, Nevada needs to look for other fuel sources to make up for what’s being lost.”

According to the Governor’s press release, the Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security in 2026.