🚨 Energy Reality Wins Big in California Primary! My latest Forbes op/ed breaks down how pragmatic energy views just scored a major victory in deep-blue California. Key points: Former AG Xavier Becerra crushed the jungle primary by openly embracing Chevron and reliable energy: “You need Chevron. I need Chevron. California needs Chevron.” Climate activist Tom Steyer, despite dropping $215M pushing “Keep It in the Ground” and “Make Polluters Pay,” finished a distant third. Voters rejected the extremism. Californians are fed up with the highest gas prices, sky-high electricity rates, insurance crises, and businesses/residents fleeing the state due to green mandates. Becerra’s moderate stance on energy - supporting climate goals while acknowledging oil & gas realities - resonated. Even Chevron donated to support him. This signals a broader shift: Even in California, voters are connecting the dots between anti-energy policies and economic pain. “Make Polluters Pay” really means “Make Consumers Pay.” Energy reality can’t be litigated or regulated away. America’s oil & gas industry delivers the cleanest hydrocarbons on the planet — shutting it down just exports jobs, emissions, and security to adversaries. Becerra’s win shows the political ground is shifting in favor of pragmatism and energy reality, even in California. #EnergyReality #CaliforniaPrimary #OilAndGas

California policies that have forced us to import more fuel have real impacts. LAX is losing routes. Over the weekend, the LA Times reported that airlines are cutting flights due to skyrocketing fuel costs. To be clear, California energy policies have made California a "fuel island" by political design and we are now paying the price. You can't fly a plane on wishful thinking or more talk at committee hearings—you need jet fuel. #EnergySecurity #California #Aviation #CApolitics latimes.com/business/story/2…

Good discussion aboard the Battleship IOWA on California’s supply chain, ports, and energy future. One theme dominated the conversation: policy ambitions are moving far faster than infrastructure, technology, and operational reality can support. You cannot continue constraining fuel supply, tightening regulations, and accelerating mandates while expecting reliability, affordability, and competitiveness to improve. Reality eventually catches up. We need practical solutions instead of political slogans.

We also talked about the upcoming cap & invest vote that could impact the oil industry and the governor's race. Our full interview here: kcra.com/article/california-…

When I started as WSPA President and CEO, I made it clear that California needs commonsense solutions that work for all, including our industry. The challenges we face have compounded and get worse each week. Some lawmakers supposedly know what business leaders need to make decisions about the future of their businesses, but regulators continue to make claims of collaboration without actually taking actions that help businesses plan for a long-term future of investment in California. Here's some of my discussion on this topic again with KCRA's Political Director Ashley Zavala over the weekend.... Thanks again, @ZavalaA ...

The consequences of California's energy policies have been exposed with the ongoing global unrest. Decades of attacks on California's oil & gas industry have made us increasingly vulnerable to disruptions in our fuel supply. I enjoyed speaking with KCRA's @ZavalaA about the very real risks we are currently facing due to these policies. We cannot continue down this path - too much is at stake. And we need a different approach from policymakers.

Even before the conflict in the Middle East, California drivers were paying the highest gas prices in the country by a huge margin. Decades of bad policy have limited California’s energy supplies and made us more dependent on foreign fuel sources. Now that our supply chain has been disrupted, you can see how reckless it was to outsource our energy infrastructure to other parts of the globe. Unexpected disruptions are bound to happen, but a strong in-state oil and gas industry will boost our resilience and protect consumers from supply shocks. Appreciate Jon Slavet for the great discussion on why it’s so important to protect what’s left of California’s fuel infrastructure. Watch our full conversation here: youtu.be/duenVNnVPAc?si=yxaP… @realjonslavet

Watch the full episode on where gas prices are going here: youtube.com/watch?v=duenVNnV…

After nearly 60 years, Valero is shutting down its Benicia refinery, eliminating good-paying jobs and further tightening California’s fuel supply. This isn’t an accident. It’s the predictable result of Governor Gavin Newsom’s anti-energy policies: crushing regulations, hostility toward domestic production, and a business climate that drives employers out of the state. The consequences are clear: less supply, higher gas prices, and fewer jobs. Gavin Newsom’s agenda is failing working families—and Californians are paying the price. beniciaindependent.com/end-o…

Thank you @SenRogerNiello for highlighting the reality facing California’s energy sector. Lawmakers must remember that bills like SB 982 send a message that California refineries are not welcome here, limiting the state’s energy supply and leaving consumers to rely on more foreign imports. If we want to protect jobs and consumers, we must support California’s in-state refiners.

Our refiners have been warning for years: rising costs, unique regulatory mandates, and long‑term policy uncertainty make it increasingly difficult to justify investments in California. When it no longer makes sense to do business here, refineries close, eliminating jobs and tax revenue. Fewer refineries also makes for a less resilient fuel supply and makes us more vulnerable to price volatility. California has to protect what’s left of our remaining capacity to ensure businesses and consumers have access to the energy our economy relies on.

“One tank of gas for his vehicles cost $600 a couple of months ago. Today it costs $1,000. That’s a record high and more than 35% above the country’s average.” “California sets itself apart from the rest of the country when it comes to pricing,” said Dubuque, a third-generation trucker and general manager of Liberty Linehaul West. “Now it’s really out of control.” ‘It's killing everything.' California's truckers are buckling under country's priciest diesel latimes.com/business/story/2…

If you are a true environmentalist... California in-state refining is the way to go. @CA_Insider is giving California's dire oil and gas situation its much needed attention. Listen up!

A new report signals the threat of significant cost increases for consumers thanks to @center4jobs If SB 982 becomes law, Californias will be facing higher fuel costs – an estimated 40–61 cents per gallon for gasoline and even more for diesel. Importantly, at a time when we need to protect what’s left of our refining capacity, SB 982 makes it impossible to guarantee refineries can stay open in California. #SB982 centerforjobs.org/ca/special…

BREAKING: For the first time ever, GasBuddy data showing average diesel prices have risen above $8 per gallon in San Francisco, CA- the first ever U.S. city to reach the $8 mark ever.

For every person discussing gas prices in California right now, be sure to watch this segment.  Well worth your time. cbsnews.com/news/california-… @juliewattsTV @cbsnews @cbssacramento @kpixtv @cbsla

Global refineries are now chasing heavier sour crude; the same type California refineries are optimized to process. Now California is sourcing less crude from its own reserves and has become increasingly reliant on global oil sources to supply in-state refineries. Why are we forcing California refineries to outbid entire countries for oil that is available right here at home? California policymakers need to shield consumers from geopolitical risks that threaten our fuel supply. In-state production and refining will always be more reliable. The title speaks for itself: "Oil Refiners Pay Huge Premiums to Replace Middle East Crude." bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

In this episode, @WSPAPrez, President and CEO of the @OfficialWSPA, and Skip York, Energy and Oil Fellow at the Baker Institute, joined us to unpack California's fuel situation. youtu.be/edEL3yH31uk #California

Policy aspirations don't fuel the cars, gasoline does. Listen to @MottekOnMoney.