Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) has raised concerns about California’s energy policies in an op-ed published by Fox News. In the piece, Fong argues that Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to energy is increasing costs for residents, reducing the state’s oil and refining capacity, and making California more dependent on foreign sources of oil. He also warns that these developments could affect both the state’s economy and U.S. military readiness.
“As California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Brazil touting his failed energy agenda in mid-November, the reality back home is unavoidable: because of his policies, Californians are paying some of the highest gas and electricity prices in the nation. We are being crushed by the Newsom energy affordability crisis — and it’s crippling our national security,” Fong wrote.
Fong cites a significant decline in new oil drilling permits since 2019 and notes that over 360 energy companies have left California since 2018 due to regulations. According to Fong, “California has produced nearly 128,000 fewer barrels of oil per day over the past five years — despite holding the fifth-largest petroleum reserves in the country.” He adds that reliance on foreign oil has grown, with imports from Brazil now at 20% and Iraq at 21%.
He further states: “In 1982, less than 6% of California’s crude oil came from outside the United States. Today, according to Newsom’s own California Energy Commission, that number has skyrocketed to over 60%. Brazil now accounts for 20% of our imported supply and 21% comes from Iraq.”
Fong expresses concern about declining refining capacity in California: “By early 2026, the state is projected to lose nearly 20% of its remaining refining capacity, and without urgent action, blackouts, price spikes and fuel shortages will become the new normal – not only for Californians, but for millions across the West Coast who depend on our energy supply.”
He highlights challenges facing pipeline operators as well: “This drastically impacts the viability of California’s pipelines, most of which require 90,000 barrels a day in production to remain financially solvent and operational. However, due to shortages, they are barely operating at 50,000 barrels a day, causing $2 million in losses a month for operators.”
According to Fong: “Currently, Crimson Midstream, the operator of California’s largest crude oil pipeline network, cannot sustain its operations because of Sacramento’s ineptness. California Democrats’ war on domestic energy production has created so much uncertainty that the San Pablo Bay Pipeline is now at risk of shutting down in the new year – further destabilizing California’s fragile energy supply chain and jeopardizing refinery capacity already hanging by a thread.”
He links higher fuel prices directly to policy decisions: “These disastrous policies have created a manmade shortage of fuel, increasing prices at the pump exponentially for working families and leading to more gasoline imports. This will likely force California to purchase refined gasoline from oil reserves off its coast, making the state pay a higher price to buy back its own supplies.”
Fong also connects these issues with national security concerns: “But unaffordable prices aren’t the only consequence of Newsom’s war on oil. His created crisis is also undermining our military readiness.”
He notes that military installations rely on specialized fuels processed by local refineries: “California is home to dozens of U.S. military installations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The brave men and women who serve at our bases are capable of deploying anywhere in the world within a handful of hours, but only if they have the fuel they need to accomplish their mission.”
“Military aviation fuels are highly specialized and of the highest grades,” he writes. “In 2024, California’s military installations consumed approximately 10 million gallons of gasoline. With the two most recent refinery closures, jet fuel production is estimated to decrease by at least 600,000 gallons a day.”
Fong criticizes Governor Newsom’s priorities: “No amount of Newsom’s strategic political headlines can hide the threat his policies pose to our national security.” He continues: “One of the most pressing issues in Congress right now is countering the rising threat of China… But instead…Newsom has continued to intentionally reduce California’s refinery capacity and in-state oil production…”
He warns about future risks if current trends continue: “If California’s fuel network continues to be suffocated by a patchwork of underutilized pipelines and overburdened refineries without enough energy supply to operate,” he writes,“the military fuel supply chain supporting West Coast military operational capabilities will be harmed.”
Fong concludes with recommendations for policy changes: “To revitalize California’s energy future…our state needs to increase permitting tenfold…expand our drilling capacity…and reinstate enhanced oil recovery methods.” He calls for cooperation between Sacramento lawmakers and federal officials including President Donald Trump.
“Newsom’s poor energy policies are cause [of] California’s affordability crisis,” Fong writes.”The choice for Newsom is clear: continue down a path of scarcity and dependence or reverse course with California’s energy producers…”
