The large oil company, Chevron Corporation, announced last Friday that they will move their headquarters from San Ramon, California to Houston, Texas. They plan to complete the move before the end of the year. The company has quite publicly been disputing with California regulators and politicians when it comes to fossil fuel usage and how it effects climate change. California has been one of the leading states looking to curb the effects of climate change, with oil production and fossil fuel use being the biggest targets. In 2023, the state even sued several leading oil producers based in the United States, with Chevron being one of them. Chevron is the second largest oil producer, second to ExxonMobil.
Chevron leaving California is very historic, as they have resided in the Golden State for over 140 years.
Mike Wirth, the CEO of Chevron, released a statement following the announcement in which he simply said the company and California differ too severely on matters of energy regulation and policy making. He explained that for this reason, the company has decided to complete the move to Texas, a move several other companies in related industries, such as automotive, have made as well. Tesla is the largest company to precede Chevron in their move, with CEO Elon Musk recently announcing the company’s move to Texas.
The current headquarters in San Ramon has been Chevron’s home since 2002. Prior to the main hub being in San Ramon, the company was in San Francisco city proper. The company called San Francisco home from 1879 to 2002. When they were in San Francisco, Chevron was incorporated as Pacific Coast Oil Company.
Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, took to social media to express his excitement of the move.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Abbott posted “WELCOME HOME Chevron! Texas is your true home. Drill baby drill.” Furthermore, the mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, posted, also on X, saying “Great for Houston!” California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, has not made any statement on the move, but a representative from his team spoke with the media to state they have been anticipating a move like this from the oil company. The state has been well aware of the ongoing, and growing, differences between the two parties ideals, and therefore expected such an action to occur.
