For years, energy policy in the Golden State has been marked by politicized chaos and willful ignorance. To shift course in 2025, here are four key facts policymakers should know.
Declining in-state production means more foreign oil tankers coming to California ports, but the Golden State may not have the infrastructure to meet gasoline demand with imported crude.
J.P. Morgan analysts say the U.S. has “achieved energy independence for the first time in 40 years.” Meanwhile, California has chosen the opposite path.
Policymakers are realizing that changing how the world’s fifth-largest economy produces and consumes energy is a massively complicated undertaking – and costs a lot of money.
Analysts say the continued unrest could upend international commerce at a time when the Golden State is becoming more dependent on foreign oil imports for basic energy needs.
Experts agree the governor’s reckless shutdown agenda will extend the state’s reliance on volatile foreign energy markets and harm low-income Californians the most.
The governor has moved aggressively to shut down oil production, but government forecasts show the state will still need 11.5 billion gallons of gas and diesel in 2035.