We are Kern Energy

A "Small But Mighty" Powerhouse of Energy Innovation

Kern Energy is an independent, family-owned, and operated transportation fuel producer located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Our team of 200 has proudly fueled California for 91 years. As the only refiner between San Francisco and Los Angeles producing gasoline and diesel, Kern Energy serves the critical needs of the Central Valley while meeting some of the world’s most stringent fuel standards.

As a renewable fuel pioneer, Kern was an early adopter of state and federal renewable fuelsprograms to support climate goals—taking a dual path approach to improving what we have while innovating towards what is next. As the first refinery in California, and just the second in the U.S., to produce renewable diesel through co-processing, Kern has continued down a course to consistently supply our community with a stable supply of transportation fuels, while innovating toward a lower carbon future. Kern is working to secure additional fuel registrations, marking another step forward in expanding access to lower‑carbon gasoline and advancing the state’s energy goals.

We’re proud to continue our journey as innovators and doers, always looking ahead to what’s next for California’s energy landscape. At Kern Energy, we lead with pragmatic solutions that meet today’s energy needs while advancing the fuels of the future.

Our History

  • 1934

    A 1,400 barrels per day crude unit is constructed and put into operation by El Tejon Oil & Refining Co.

  • 1945

    The refinery name is changed to Douglas Oil Company of California.

  • 1966

    Edgington Oil & Refining Co. and Signal Oil & Gas purchase the refinery and change the name to Kern County Refinery, Inc.

  • 1976

    A privately held company purchases the refinery assets and continues to operate as Kern County Refinery, Inc.

  • 1993

    A new diesel hydroprocessing unit and sulfur plant are placed into operation to meet Federal and California low sulfur diesel fuel specifications.

  • 2002

    A new cogeneration unit is installed, improving electrical reliability.

  • 2006

    New units are installed, including sulfur recovery and hydrogen production, and existing hydroprocessing units are upgraded to meet California’s more stringent Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel specifications.

  • 2012

    Blending up to 5% biodiesel into finished diesel fuel begins.

  • 2022

    Kern Oil & Refining Co. becomes Kern Energy.

  • Kreiger Oil Company of Paramount, California purchases the refinery and operates under the name Palos Verdes Estates.

    1943

  • Continental Oil purchases the refinery from Douglas Oil Company.

    1962

  • Charter Oil Company of Jacksonville, Florida, purchases the refinery and operates it through a subsidiary named Kern County Refinery, Inc.

    1971

  • The refinery is renamed Kern Oil & Refining Co.

    1982

  • Existing refinery units are modified and new reformulated gasoline equipment placed into operation to meet more stringent California gasoline specifications.

    1996

  • Ethanol blending into all finished gasoline begins.

    2003

  • Co-processing biomass for production of renewable diesel fuel begins.

    2009

  • Biodiesel blending is expanded to include a B20 biodiesel blend for meeting demand from agricultural and trucking customers.

    2017

Please Scroll .
A 1,400 barrels per day crude unit is constructed and put into operation by El Tejon Oil & Refining Co.
1934
Kreiger Oil Company of Paramount, California purchases the refinery and operates under the name Palos Verdes Estates.
1943
The refinery name is changed to Douglas Oil Company of California.
1945
Continental Oil purchases the refinery from Douglas Oil Company.
1962
Edgington Oil & Refining Co. and Signal Oil & Gas purchase the refinery and change the name to Kern County Refinery, Inc.
1966
Charter Oil Company of Jacksonville, Florida, purchases the refinery and operates it through a subsidiary named Kern County Refinery, Inc.
1971
A privately held company purchases the refinery assets and continues to operate as Kern County Refinery, Inc.
1976
The refinery is renamed Kern Oil & Refining Co.
1982
A new diesel hydroprocessing unit and sulfur plant are placed into operation to meet Federal and California low sulfur diesel fuel specifications.
1993
Existing refinery units are modified and new reformulated gasoline equipment placed into operation to meet more stringent California gasoline specifications.
1996
A new cogeneration unit is installed, improving electrical reliability.
2002
Ethanol blending into all finished gasoline begins.
2003
New units are installed, including sulfur recovery and hydrogen production, and existing hydroprocessing units are upgraded to meet California’s more stringent Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel specifications.
2006
Co-processing biomass for production of renewable diesel fuel begins.
2009
Blending up to 5% biodiesel into finished diesel fuel begins.
2012
Biodiesel blending is expanded to include a B20 biodiesel blend for meeting demand from agricultural and trucking customers.
2017
Kern Oil & Refining Co. becomes Kern Energy.
2022
Years In The Industry
0
Employees
0 +
Supplier In Kern County
# 100
Commitment to Safety
& Environment
1 /7

Leadership Team

Jennifer Haley

President & CEO

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David McCoy

Senior Vice President Operations

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Jayson Busch

Vice President Supply, Marketing & Logistics

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Melinda Palmer

Vice President Regulatory & Public Affairs

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Matt Scott

Chief Financial Officer

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Cherie Lucas

VP of Human Resources & Employee Development

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Our Values

Teamwork

Better
together

Encourage inclusivity & diverse viewpoints

 

Build alignment & buy-in; focus on collective results over individual success

 

Give & earn trust

Safety

Protecting
each other

Safety is everyone’s responsibility

 

Protect the wellbeing of our team & community

 

Foster a proactive safety culture

Excellence

Learning & growing every day

Embrace continuous improvement

 

Have clear expectations, ownership & accountability

 

Engage in productive conflict

Integrity

Courage to do
what’s right

Show courage & stand up for what’s right

 

Be open & honest

 

Show consideration & respect

Connection

Bringing people together

Care for our teammates

 

Elevate through collaboration

 

Model environmental stewardship for current & future generations