Truck Stop to take over Bakersfield Refinery

The troubled Bakersfield refinery--slated for closure then sale by Shell, investigated by Senator Boxer--has a new owner:

The aging refinery produces 2 percent of California's gasoline and 6 percent of its diesel. But given the extraordinary tightness of the state's fuel market, Shell's original plans to close the refinery prompted protests from consumer advocates, elected officials and others. One leading energy economist said the plant's closure could lead to price spikes of 10 percent or more during times of peak demand.

Shell backed down under public pressure and agreed to look for a buyer. On Monday it said it will sell the plant to Flying J Inc., a Utah-based oil company that owns a chain of truck stops. There are six Flying J's in California, including one in Lodi.