Guest

Jodie Muller, CEO - Western States Petroleum Association

Guest Bio

Jodie Muller serves as the President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), representing the companies that explore, produce, refine, and transport petroleum products in the West. Muller took the helm as CEO during one of the most volatile periods for energy in California’s history. Under her leadership, WSPA has focused on educating policymakers and the public on the "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, advocating for the preservation of high-paying local jobs, and addressing the regulatory "layers" that contribute to California's nation-leading gas prices. Muller is a prominent voice for balancing environmental goals with economic reality, emphasizing the importance of domestic production to maintain strict environmental and labor standards.

Show Summary

Why does California consistently have the highest gas prices in the nation? According to WSPA CEO Jodie Muller, it isn’t one person or one event—it’s the result of decades of policies layered on top of one another.

In this episode, Jon Slavet talks with Muller about the complex reality of California’s energy market. From the impact of the Iran war and global spot markets to the "Truman Show" bubble of California’s environmental regulations, Muller explains how the state has hamstrung its own supply chain. She shares startling data on why California now imports over 75% of its crude and what the idling of major refineries means for the families who rely on those six-figure jobs.

The conversation also tackles the controversial Cap-and-Invest program, the "baby steps" of recent permitting in Kern County, and why the smartest energy innovations of the future will likely come from within the oil and gas industry. Muller offers a candid look at the upcoming Governor’s race and her "Queen for a Day" wish.

Chapters

00:00 – Who is Responsible for $6 Gas?
01:18 – Decades of Layered Policies: Connecting the Dots
02:45 – The Education Gap in Sacramento
03:16 – Iran and the Global Energy Market: Why Prices Stay High
07:12 – The Environmental Irony of Importing 75% of Our Oil
09:34 – From 25 Refineries to 6: The Impact on Consumers
11:11 – Six-Figure Jobs and the Economic Knock-on Effects
12:59 – Cap and Invest: The Multi-Billion Dollar Business Calculus
15:53 – Newsom, Kern County, and the Future of Permitting
17:59 – Advancing Renewables: An All-of-the-Above Strategy
20:06 – Evaluating the Governor’s Race and Tom Steyer
22:27 – Rapid Fire: Pausing Regulations and Keeping Kids in California

Connect with Jodie Muller

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiemuller/
Twitter: https://x.com/WSPAPrez/with_replies

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